The Dallas Cowboys will face the Washington Commanders without linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker when the teams meet Sunday afternoon. Both players were listed as out after missing all of Dallas’ practices during the week.
Overshown sustained a hamstring strain and Hooker broke his forearm during Dallas’ 28-20 loss to the New York Giants in Week 1. Hooker had surgery, and coach Brian Schottenheimer said each player could be absent for about one to two weeks. The Cowboys did not place Hooker on injured reserve.
Overshown’s absence also changes how Dallas communicates its defensive calls. He wore the green-dot helmet in the opener, an assignment that involved receiving calls from Parker and passing instructions to the rest of the defense. He made seven tackles before leaving that game.
Rookie Jaishawn Barham is set to start at middle linebacker and take over the green-dot duties against Washington. The third-round pick will handle the assignment in his second NFL game. Dee Winters and Shemar James are additional linebacker options, according to the report.
Dallas will have outside linebacker James Houston available after he moved from limited work Wednesday to full participation later in the week. Offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius also practiced fully despite a knee issue. Neither player was given an injury designation, clearing both for the game. Houston played 10 defensive snaps and 10 special-teams snaps in Week 1.
