RIO DE JANEIRO — With four defenders back in Frisco, the Dallas Cowboys are counting on safeties Jalen Thompson and Markquese Bell and cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. against the Baltimore Ravens. Coach Brian Schottenheimer acknowledged Friday that the challenges are real.
Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, safeties Malik Hooker and P.J. Locke, and cornerback Cobie Durant were ruled out Thursday and did not travel. On Saturday, Dallas placed Locke on injured reserve, signed linebacker Justin Barron from the practice squad, and elevated cornerback Reddy Steward.
Schottenheimer wants Bell’s experience to carry the safety spot and said Revel has to play well at cornerback.
“Yeah, there’s challenges. I think it’s real. The challenges are real,” Schottenheimer said. “But again, I think you lean on the veteran makeup of Markquese Bell, that he can step in there and play well for us. Shavon Revel needs to play, and that’s part of it.”
Brian Schottenheimer Says Jalen Thompson Is Playing Well
Thompson signed a three-year, $33 million contract in March after seven seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Asked about him Thursday at The Star, Schottenheimer traced the safety’s early issues to communication in the opener. He also pointed out that opponents have not been beating Dallas deep in the drop-back passing game.
“Again, it goes back to game one, some of the communication stuff, giving and receiving,” Schottenheimer explained. “I think that’s part of it. He’s in a position where he’s got to get things right. He’s the last line of defense. I think you see the athleticism to cover. But at the end of the day, all of us need to play better on defense. We need to coach better, myself included, on defense, make cleaner adjustments.”
“But again, early season, he’s not, the ball’s not getting thrown over our head a whole lot in the drop-back passing game,” Schottenheimer continued. “A couple gadgets have snuck behind us. But overall, I think JT, he’s playing well.”
Revel is in his second season. Steward started 5 of his 17 games for Dallas last season and made 63 tackles.
Jaishawn Barham, Dee Winters Anchor Dallas Cowboys Linebackers
Rookie Jaishawn Barham wore the green dot in his first start against Washington, and Schottenheimer liked what he saw. He also sees Dee Winters improving. Against Baltimore, he warned, one player out of his gap is enough to give up a big run.
“In terms of the linebackers, I thought we took a step in the right direction last week with Jaishawn being the green dot. He did a really good job as the green dot,” Schottenheimer said. “Dee Winters is getting better. The biggest thing for us, I think, is the more we play together, the more feel they’re getting for one another.”
“And team defense is all about all 11 guys playing with one spirit, one mindset, but doing their job,” Schottenheimer continued. “If one guy does something wrong, unfortunately it opens up a gap, and this Baltimore Ravens team can really penalize you if you don’t close a C gap or a B gap because of the speed that not just Derrick has but Lamar as well.”
Derrick Henry has 212 rushing yards through two games, second in the NFL. Dallas has allowed 347 rushing yards, and 126 of them have come from quarterbacks. Baltimore receiver Zay Flowers faces a pregame decision on his hamstring. Kickoff at Maracanã Stadium is 3:25 p.m. CT on CBS.
