Dallas will face Washington on Sunday without linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker, who missed all of the Cowboys’ practices during the week. Overshown suffered a hamstring injury, and Hooker sustained a broken forearm during Dallas’ 28-20 loss to the New York Giants. Hooker underwent surgery, and coach Brian Schottenheimer said both players could miss roughly one or two weeks.
Dallas has not placed Hooker on injured reserve.
Rookie Jaishawn Barham is expected to start at middle linebacker and assume Overshown’s green-dot duties, which include receiving defensive instructions and relaying them to teammates before plays begin. Overshown recorded seven tackles in the opener before departing. P.J.
Locke is the likely choice at free safety. Dallas also moved first-round rookie Caleb Downs deeper after Hooker left, but coaches prefer Downs closer to the line, making Locke’s presence deep a way to preserve that usage.
Dallas also received favorable injury updates. Offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius practiced fully despite a knee issue. Outside linebacker James Houston progressed from limited participation Wednesday to full work Thursday and Friday. Neither player was assigned a game designation, so both are available against Washington. Overshown and Hooker are the only Cowboys listed as out, and no additional details about the defensive changes were provided.
