Dallas is scheduled to play Baltimore on Sunday with three rookies in expanded defensive roles. Caleb Downs and Jaishawn Barham, two of the Cowboys’ leading 2026 draft selections, are expected to start, while Malachi Lawrence is set to take part in the defensive rotation.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said the team intended to give its young players substantial opportunities, saying, “We knew we wanted our young guys to play.” He called Downs an elite player and said Barham has generated major turnovers when on the field. Schottenheimer also cited Lawrence’s pass-rushing ability, while noting that the rookies will continue to make mistakes as they develop.
The changes come after defensive back Cobie Durant, safety Malik Hooker, defensive back P.J. Locke and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown were absent from Wednesday’s practice. The sports.yahoo.com report did not give additional information about those absences.
Source: sports.yahoo.com.
