Malik Hooker’s availability for the Dallas Cowboys is uncertain after he suffered a forearm fracture during the team’s season-opening loss to the New York Giants. The safety was injured in the second half and did not return to the game.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Monday that Hooker is meeting with a hand specialist to determine how long he may be sidelined. The recovery could last as long as six weeks for some types of breaks, but the timeline will depend on the specific bone and injury.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said after the game that he believed Hooker had fractured his forearm. Team co-owner Stephen Jones also said on 105.3 The Fan that certain fractures can be played through, leaving open the possibility that Hooker could avoid missing time. The team has not established a recovery timetable. These injury details were reported by si.com.
Hooker entered the season as the Cowboys’ third safety behind Caleb Downs and Jalen Thompson. Dallas used Downs alongside Thompson in Week 1 when Thompson was not playing in the slot. If Hooker is unavailable, P.J. Locke is positioned to take over his role, while Alijah Clark and Markquese Bell could receive additional defensive snaps. Neither player played on defense in the opener.
Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown also left the game with a hamstring injury, but no update on his condition had been provided in the report. Hooker is in the final year of his contract and is scheduled to become a free agent after the season.
