Dallas has ruled out linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker for its Week 2 game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday afternoon. Both missed all of the Cowboys’ practices during the week.
Rookie Jaishawn Barham is expected to start at middle linebacker and handle the green-dot duties Overshown previously held. That assignment includes receiving defensive directions and relaying them to teammates before each play. Overshown recorded seven tackles before exiting Dallas’ 28-20 Week 1 loss to the New York Giants with a hamstring injury.
P.J. Locke is the likely choice to replace Hooker at free safety. Hooker suffered a broken forearm against New York, underwent surgery and has not been placed on injured reserve.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said both players could miss roughly one or two weeks. First-round rookie Caleb Downs played deeper after Hooker left, but Dallas prefers him closer to the line, making Locke’s deep positioning a fit for the defensive plan.
Dallas also listed offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius and outside linebacker James Houston as available. Cornelius practiced fully despite a knee issue, while Houston progressed from limited work Wednesday to full participation Thursday and Friday. Overshown and Hooker were the only Cowboys ruled out on the final report. Source: clutchpoints.com.
