FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys held safety Malik Hooker (forearm) and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) out of Wednesday’s practice, the first of the week before Sunday’s home game against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium.
Outside linebacker James Houston (shoulder) was limited. Offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius (knee) was a full participant.
Washington’s first report of the week listed linebacker Frankie Luvu (groin) and tight end Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) as non-participants. Six more Commanders were limited, and three practiced in full.
Dallas lost 28-20 to the New York Giants on Sunday night at MetLife Stadium. Washington lost 24-22 at the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Malik Hooker, DeMarvion Overshown Sit Out After Giants Loss
Hooker left the Giants game in the final minute of the third quarter, on a 2-yard quarterback scramble. Overshown went down with 12:04 left in the fourth quarter and finished with 7 combined tackles.
Late Sunday, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said the X-rays at MetLife Stadium suggested a fractured forearm for Hooker and that the severity of Overshown’s hamstring injury was still unknown. By Monday, the fracture was confirmed, and Hooker was scheduled for surgery Tuesday.
“It sounds like it’s one that doesn’t require as long a period of time [to recover],” Schottenheimer said. “So we’re hoping it’s a two week window.”
Overshown’s hamstring injury turned out to be a strain. Schottenheimer put the same “one to two weeks” on it.
“We’ll see how he does, but nothing long term,” Schottenheimer explained.
On Wednesday, Schottenheimer said Hooker’s surgery was successful. Overshown did rehab work off to the side during practice, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. Neither player has been placed on injured reserve.
Rookie Jaishawn Barham is expected to start in Overshown’s place and wear the green dot, Clarence Hill of DLLS Cowboys reported.
Schottenheimer said P.J. Locke, not first-round pick Caleb Downs, is the plan at safety while Hooker is out.
“We love P.J. Locke,” Schottenheimer said. “I think Caleb played really, really well. Caleb’s a guy that can move around, but we like him down near the line of scrimmage.”
Houston was not on last week’s injury report. He played 10 defensive snaps against the Giants. Cornelius was limited in every practice before Week 1 and was inactive against New York. Dallas drafted him in the sixth round, 204th overall, in 2025.
Left guard Tyler Smith is on injured reserve after thumb surgery before the opener, which keeps him out for at least four games. Schottenheimer has put Smith’s absence at four to six weeks.
Frankie Luvu, Chig Okonkwo Miss Commanders’ First Practice Of Cowboys Week
Luvu recorded a sack against Philadelphia before leaving with the groin injury near the end of the first half. The 2024 second-team All-Pro is in his third season with Washington.
Okonkwo caught 2 passes for 16 yards before a hamstring injury took him out of the game in the second half. Washington signed him on March 11 after four seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday there was still uncertainty about Luvu and Okonkwo for Sunday and that he would know more later in the week. Two days earlier, Quinn said the soft-tissue injuries would take longer to sort out than safety Tyler Owens’ ankle.
“The four of them: Frankie had a groin, and Chig and Jordan both had hamstrings, and Tyler had an ankle,” Quinn said. “I’ll have a better update Wednesday as to where they’re at. Soft tissue ones, we’ll need a day or two more with that. And then Tyler, if he can see how quickly he can turn around with his ankle.”
“So I’ll have a better update for you like who would be available for the game once I can see who can get into some practice work,” Quinn continued. “I’ll give you an update on that Wednesday, but those were the four to discuss.”
Owens hurt his ankle on a return against the Eagles. He was a full participant Wednesday. Linebacker Jordan Magee is not on the report after Washington moved him to injured reserve with the hamstring injury, which sidelines him for at least four games.
Outside linebacker Dorance Armstrong (knee) was limited as he returns from a torn ACL suffered last season. Outside linebackers K’Lavon Chaisson (knee) and Odafe Oweh (calf) were also limited after both returned to practice before Week 1.
Defensive tackle Daron Payne (knee) was limited and has been on Washington’s report with the injury since Sept. 10. Defensive end Charles Omenihu (ankle) and wide receiver Jaylin Lane (groin) were limited as well.
Running back Kaytron Allen (ankle, knee) and guard Chris Paul (ankle) joined Owens as full participants.
Kickoff on Sunday is 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX. Dallas then faces the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro in Week 3.
