The Cowboys are preparing to change their defensive personnel after linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker were injured in the season-opening loss to the New York Giants. Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Overshown has a hamstring strain and is expected to miss one to two weeks.
Hooker will undergo surgery for a fractured forearm, but Dallas does not plan to place him on injured reserve, which would require at least four missed games.
P.J. Locke is expected to handle Hooker’s snaps in the passing-down package. Caleb Downs will continue working at safety and as a slot defender in those situations.
At linebacker, Jaishawn Barham played mostly beside Dee Winters against New York, and Shemar James also saw limited action. Schottenheimer called Winters the most experienced option and said the Cowboys could elevate practice-squad players Curtis Robinson and Justin Barron.
The injuries followed a defensive opener in which Dallas allowed 28 points and 394 yards. The Giants gained 165 rushing yards, and the Cowboys forced one punt while allowing nine conversions on 11 third-down attempts. Schottenheimer said first-year coordinator Christian Parker remains the right person for the job and expects improvement from Parker and the team’s young players.
