Jalen Thompson: Everything you need to know

Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Tuesday that Thompson is nursing a minor pectoral injury, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. It's unknown when or how Thompson got hurt, but his coach's comments suggest there's no great cause for alarm. If he's limited during the Cowboys' minicamp, free agent acquisition P.J. Locke could see some work with the first-team defense.

Thompson agreed to terms on a three-year contract worth up to $36 million with Dallas on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Thompson suited up for 15 regular-season appearances with Arizona in 2025, recording 95 tackles (58 solo), including 1.0 sacks, plus six passes defensed and one forced fumble. He's totaled 90-plus tackles in back-to-back seasons and surpassed the 100-tackle mark in both 2021 and 2022. Now with the Cowboys, Thompson enters the offseason as a candidate to compete with Donovan Wilson for the starting strong safety job.

Thompson tallied 95 tackles, including 1.0 sack, six pass defenses (no interceptions) and one forced fumble in 15 regular-season appearances in 2025. Missing Weeks 15 and 16 due to a hamstring injury impacted Thompson's bid for his first campaign with 100-plus tackles since 2022, but he still ended it third on the Cardinals behind S Budda Baker (120) and LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (117). Thompson's contract voids on Feb. 15, so he appears set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and could be on the move if Arizona deems second-year pro Dadrion Taylor-Demerson to be a suitable replacement at strong safety.