FRISCO, Texas — An injured starter does not automatically get his job back with the Dallas Cowboys. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday at The Star that he would be willing to have a hard conversation if a replacement is playing at a higher level.
Cornerback Cobie Durant has a hamstring strain, and safety P.J. Locke tore his plantar fascia. Both could be out a few weeks. Shavon Revel Jr. and Markquese Bell played in their places in Sunday’s 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders.
Brian Schottenheimer Recalls Elvis Grbac And Rich Gannon
Each situation is different, Schottenheimer said, and he grew up around one of the NFL’s best-known versions of it.
“I think each situation is different. I was around a situation where in Kansas City, Elvis Grbac was a starter. Rich Gannon was the backup. Elvis got hurt. Rich Gannon came in and played really well,” Schottenheimer said. “I can’t remember the record. They won like seven of nine, maybe six of eight, making the numbers up. But once Elvis was back, my dad put him back in, and they lost in the first round of the playoffs to Denver.”
“Was it Elvis’ issue? No. But that was his opinion. I think each situation is different,” Schottenheimer continued. “You certainly don’t want to remove a starter because he got injured, but you also could make the argument that if a starter was injured and someone else steps up and is playing at a higher level than that player, then I would certainly be willing to have the hard conversation.”
Elvis Grbac broke his collarbone midway through the 1997 season. Rich Gannon started the next six games and went 5-1, and the Kansas City Chiefs finished 13-3 as the AFC’s top seed. Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer went back to Grbac for the divisional round. The Denver Broncos won that game 14-10 and went on to win Super Bowl XXXII.
Brian Schottenheimer Says ‘Next Man Up’ Is Real For Cowboys Defense
Rookie Jaishawn Barham started at middle linebacker Sunday in place of DeMarvion Overshown. Dallas used practice squad elevations at linebacker, and Schottenheimer said the team may look at the secondary this week.
“I mean, the old thing, next man up. I mean, that’s real. I thought we used the elevations well for the linebackers. I think we’ll look at some things potentially on defense, maybe in the secondary,” Schottenheimer explained. “We’ve got some guys there that we feel might step up and help us in a couple different roles. But as we get into the plan, I think it’s going to be what this league is about, is next man up.”
“And whether you’re down four offensive linemen, like we talked a lot about last year, you’re down to two linebackers, and then you’ve got to have some elevations,” Schottenheimer detailed. “That’s why the league, when they changed the rule to the practice squad being larger, I think was the right idea. They were predicting that it’s a physical, violent game, that there’s going to be injuries, and the game’s going to be better when you can have guys that actually know what you’re doing and not have to get guys off the street.”
Bell went in for Locke on Sunday without expecting to play much defense.
“Same thing. I mean, here’s a guy that wasn’t planning on playing a whole lot and went in there and got forced into duty when P.J. went down and was mentally ready and did a good job in communication,” Schottenheimer said. “That’s the benefit of having that deep safety class and a veteran like that understands the defense, even though he doesn’t usually get a ton of reps in terms of what we’re doing.”
Overshown and safety Malik Hooker are still rehabbing. Schottenheimer would not rule either out for Sunday.
“Got to get through the week,” Schottenheimer said. “It could be tough just because it’s a shorter week for us, but I’m not saying no.”
Linebacker Dee Winters left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury, and Barham had a stinger. Schottenheimer said both should be fine. Dallas plays the Baltimore Ravens at 3:25 p.m. CT on Sunday at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
