The Dallas Cowboys will play Washington without linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker after both were ruled out for Sunday afternoon’s game. Neither defender practiced during the week.
Overshown left Dallas’ 28-20 loss to the New York Giants with a hamstring strain. Hooker sustained a forearm fracture in that game and later had surgery. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said each player could be sidelined for about one to two weeks.
Overshown handled the defense’s green-dot communication role in the opener, receiving calls and passing them along to teammates. He had seven tackles before exiting. Rookie Jaishawn Barham is set to start at middle linebacker and take over that responsibility against Washington. Dee Winters and Shemar James are other linebacker options.
Hooker’s injury also changes the Cowboys’ secondary alignment. P.J. Locke is expected to replace him at free safety. Dallas used first-round pick Caleb Downs deep after Hooker left the opener, but the coaching staff prefers Downs closer to the line of scrimmage.
Dallas received positive updates on offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius and outside linebacker James Houston. Cornelius practiced fully throughout the week while dealing with a knee issue, and Houston moved from limited work Wednesday to full participation Thursday and Friday. Neither player received a game designation, meaning both are cleared to play.
