The Dallas Cowboys are headed south — way, way south — without 3 defensive starters for a Week 3 game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, against the Baltimore Ravens.
“Cowboys already have ruled out CB Cobie Durant, S Malik Hooker, S P.J. Locke and LB DeMarvion Overshown for Sunday’s game in Brazil vs. the Ravens,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account on Thursday.
“The Cowboys have ruled out CB Cobie Durant, S Malik Hooker, S P.J. Locke and LB DeMarvion Overshown for Sunday,” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo wrote on his official X account on Thursday. “They won’t travel to Brazil for the game against the Ravens.”
The Cowboys and Ravens are both 1-1, with the Cowboys coming off a win over the Washington Commanders and Ravens coming off a loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 2.
Rookie Jaishawn Barham will make his 2nd consecutive start in place of Overshown while Shavon Revel will likely start in place of Durant.
Malik Hooker Full-Time Starter Since 2023
Hooker, a 2019 1st-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts, has been with the Cowboys since 2021 and became the full-time starting safety in 2023 — he also battled injury issues in 2025 when he missed 5 games with a toe injury and had to be placed on injured reserve.
“Cowboys S Malik Hooker fractured a bone in his forearm and he’s consulting with a hand specialist to learn his recovery time, sources say,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account on September 14. “While some breaks can mean a player is out six weeks, the hope is based on the specific bone and break, it’s quicker than that.”
Hooker suffered another major injury in 2020, when he tore his Achilles tendon and missed the final 14 games of the regular season with the Colts.
Durant Called Cowboys’ ‘Best Offseason Move’
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell called signing Durant to a 1-year, $4 million contract the NFL’s “Best Offseason Move” this summer.
“Durant isn’t a superstar, and he has played behind some very good pass rushes in Los Angeles, but he has allowed a 74.3 passer rating in coverage over the past four seasons,” Barnwell wrote. “At 28, Durant should still be in the prime of his career. The Rams experimented with him in the slot at times, but he’s best as an outside cornerback, where he’ll start across from DaRon Bland in 2026. Durant should be a massive upgrade on what the Cowboys rolled out at CB last season, despite his modest deal.”
Cowboys Won’t Have Trio of Defensive Starters vs. Ravens in Week 3