Dallas will face Washington without linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker in the Cowboys' Week 2 game Sunday afternoon. Neither player took part in a practice session during the week, leading Dallas to rule both out.
Overshown suffered a hamstring injury and Hooker broke his forearm in the Cowboys' 28-20 Week 1 loss to the New York Giants. Hooker underwent an operation, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer said the two players might miss roughly one or two weeks. Dallas has not placed Hooker on injured reserve.
Rookie Jaishawn Barham is expected to start at middle linebacker and assume Overshown's green-dot duties, which include receiving defensive directions and relaying them to teammates before the snap. Overshown recorded seven tackles before exiting against New York. P.J.
Locke is the projected option at free safety. Dallas also played first-round rookie Caleb Downs deeper after Hooker left, but coaches prefer Downs closer to the line, allowing him to stay in that spot if Locke remains deep.
Dallas also reported positive developments. Offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius was a full participant despite a knee problem. Outside linebacker James Houston progressed from limited participation Wednesday to full work Thursday and Friday. Neither player was assigned a game designation, so both are available against Washington. Overshown and Hooker are the only Cowboys ruled out, and no additional defensive details were provided.
