Double injury blow for Cowboys defense
The Dallas Cowboys are dealing with major defensive injuries after their first game of the season. Starting linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker are both expected to miss the next two games. Coach Brian Schottenheimer shared the news on Monday.
Overshown suffered a hamstring strain during the second half of Sunday's loss against the New York Giants. He is expected to miss one to two weeks. This is a big loss for the defense because Overshown handled the communication from the coach to the players as the middle linebacker.
Meanwhile, Hooker needs surgery on a fractured forearm. The team is not putting him on injured reserve, which would keep him out for at least four games. Schottenheimer said they are hoping for a recovery window of two weeks.
How Dallas plans to fill the gaps
To replace Hooker, the Cowboys will keep Caleb Downs in his current role as a safety and slot player in passing situations. P.J. Locke will step in to take over the snaps Hooker would normally play. Schottenheimer noted that they like keeping Downs near the line of scrimmage.
Replacing Overshown at linebacker will be more complicated. During Sunday's game, the Cowboys used rookie Jaishawn Barham next to Dee Winters, while also mixing in Shemar James. Schottenheimer mentioned they will need to move players around.
The team might also look to their practice squad for help. Veteran Curtis Robinson and Justin Barron are options. Schottenheimer stated that Barron is a player the team has high expectations for.
Looking to improve after a rough debut
These injuries come at a difficult time for the defense. Under first time coordinator Christian Parker, the unit struggled in their debut. They allowed 28 points and 394 yards, while forcing only one punt.
The Giants ran for 165 yards and converted 9 of 11 third down tries. This kept the Dallas offense off the field, limiting them to just two possessions in the second half.
Despite the poor start, Schottenheimer backed his coordinator. He said he has no doubt Parker is the right person for the job, adding that both the coach and the young players will learn and perform better this week.
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