The Dallas Cowboys face mounting secondary concerns following their Week 3 game against the Baltimore Ravens in Rio, with veteran safety Jalen Thompson slated to miss multiple weeks due to an injury. Stephen Jones, the team’s director of operations and copropietario, confirmed on 105.3 The Fan that Thompson is a primary candidate to land on the injured reserve list after exiting the matchup during the second quarter.
Secondary Depth Tested by Multiple Injuries
Dallas lost several defensive contributors during the game in Rio, testing Christian Parker’s evolving defensive scheme. Jones noted that the safety and cornerback positions have taken heavy hits. Alongside Thompson, safety P.J. Locke is also facing an extended absence of more than four weeks.
The team is actively evaluating options to reinforce the safety group while Thompson and Locke recover. Jones expressed hope that Malik Hooker will return to the lineup for the upcoming Week 4 matchup against the Houston Texans. Meanwhile, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown continues working toward a return after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 1.
| Player | Position | Injury Status | Expected Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Thompson | Safety | Expected to miss 4+ weeks (IR candidate) | Significant depth loss in secondary |
| P.J. Locke | Safety | Expected to miss 4+ weeks | Further strain on safety rotation |
| Malik Hooker | Safety | Questionable for Week 4 return | Potential reinforcement for upcoming game |
| Jonathan Bullard | Defensive Tackle | Calf injury, awaiting test results | Uncertain availability for Week 4 |
| Shavon Revel | Cornerback | Right knee injury, awaiting test results | Secondary depth evaluation pending |
Roster Management and Next Steps
The sudden wave of injuries transforms what was initially considered a position of significant roster strength into an area of acute vulnerability. Jones explained that the Cowboys intentionally kept six safeties instead of five when finalizing the 53-man roster due to high positional quality, a decision that proved vital given the current attrition.
Additional evaluations continue for defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard, who sustained a calf injury, and cornerback Shavon Revel, who suffered an injury to his right knee. Both players await medical test results to determine their status for the game against Houston and subsequent fixtures.