Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker is seeking guidance from a hand specialist after suffering a fractured forearm in the team's Week 1 loss to the New York Giants. His recovery period has not been determined, and a possible absence of as many as six weeks depends on the location and severity of the break.
Hooker was injured during the second half against New York and did not return. Coach Brian Schottenheimer said after the game that he believed Hooker had fractured his forearm. Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones later said some fractures can be played through, leaving open the possibility that Hooker will not miss a game.
Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown also left the opener with a hamstring injury. The source reported that Dallas had not provided an update on Overshown's condition.
Hooker was serving as the Cowboys' third safety behind Caleb Downs and Jalen Thompson. Dallas used Downs alongside Thompson when Downs was not playing in the slot. With Hooker unavailable, P.J. Locke is expected to assume his role, while Alijah Clark and Markquese Bell could receive additional defensive opportunities after not playing a defensive snap in the opener.
The report said Dallas is not expected to make a major addition at safety because of Hooker's reduced role and Locke's presence. Hooker is in the final season of his contract and is scheduled to become a free agent afterward. A trade before the deadline was also identified as a possibility if the season goes poorly, but his immediate recovery timeline remains unclear.
