The Dallas Cowboys will be without four defensive players for Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens in Brazil, but two of those absences could be temporary. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker may have a chance to return when Dallas faces the Houston Texans in Week 4.
Overshown, Hooker, safety P.J. Locke and cornerback Cobie Durant were ruled out of the Ravens matchup. The four players did not practice during the week and did not travel to Brazil.
Overshown and Hooker are starters, while Locke serves as the team’s third safety and a primary reserve. Overshown handles the defensive signal-calling role. Their potential return would come against a Houston offense in an important game for Dallas, although neither player has been cleared to play.
Hooker is recovering from a fractured forearm suffered against the Giants in the season opener. Overshown sustained a hamstring strain in that game, and both missed Dallas’ Week 2 victory over Washington. The source reported that the Cowboys are not ruling out either player for Houston, while Durant and Locke are not expected to be ready.
Dallas’ defense ranked 29th among 32 NFL teams through the first two games of this season after finishing among the league’s bottom three in total defense in 2025. Baltimore’s offense includes quarterback Lamar Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP, and running back Derrick Henry, a former Offensive Player of the Year.
