The Dallas Cowboys left MetLife Stadium with a 28-20 loss to the New York Giants and fresh Cowboys injury concerns heading into Week 2. The latest Cowboys Injury Report will be key after several players suffered injuries..
They also have several injury questions to answer heading into Week 2.
The Cowboys struggled defensively throughout Sunday night’s game. New York controlled the clock, converted important third downs and repeatedly found ways to keep Dallas from getting off the field.
Now, the injury situation could make things even more difficult.
The biggest concerns involve safety Malik Hooker and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who both left the game with injuries.
Here are five important Cowboys injury concerns to watch.
1. Malik Hooker’s Forearm Injury Is the Biggest Concern
Malik Hooker may be facing the most serious injury issue coming out of the Giants game.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said after the loss that Hooker may have fractured his forearm. Hooker left the game in the third quarter after a collision with a Giants blocker and later went for X-rays. The Cowboys planned additional testing on Monday.
That means Dallas still needs confirmation before determining the full timetable.
However, the possibility of a fracture is obviously concerning.
Hooker is an experienced veteran in the Cowboys’ secondary. Losing him for an extended period would force Dallas to make an adjustment at safety just as the new-look defense is trying to establish consistency.
The Cowboys already had problems getting off the field against New York.
Another defensive personnel change could make that challenge even tougher.
2. DeMarvion Overshown’s Hamstring Injury Needs Monitoring
DeMarvion Overshown is another major name on the Cowboys injury radar.
Overshown left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury after recording seven tackles. Schottenheimer said the team was not yet sure about the severity of the injury.
That uncertainty is important.
Hamstring injuries can vary significantly in severity. A minor issue could keep a player limited for practice, while a more significant strain could force him to miss games.
Overshown’s situation deserves close attention during the first Week 2 practice reports.
His athleticism is particularly valuable to Dallas because the Cowboys need linebackers who can cover space and handle the modern NFL’s speed.
If Overshown cannot play, Dallas could need to adjust its linebacker rotation.
3. Tyler Smith Is Already a Major Offensive-Line Concern
The Cowboys also entered the season with an important offensive-line problem.
Tyler Smith underwent surgery on his injured thumb and was placed on injured reserve. The Cowboys expected him to miss at least four games, with a potential return around Week 5.
That situation was already known before the Giants game.
But Sunday’s loss makes the issue more important.
Dallas needs to protect Dak Prescott while also giving its running game enough room to operate. The Cowboys did avoid allowing a sack against New York, and left tackle Tyler Guyton did not allow a pressure while facing Giants pass rusher Brian Burns on 20 snaps.
That is encouraging.
Still, losing an important offensive lineman for the opening portion of the season puts additional pressure on the remaining starters and backups.
The Cowboys cannot afford for another offensive-line injury to develop.
4. Malik Davis Is Another Blow to the Running Back Room
Malik Davis is also unavailable after the Cowboys placed him on injured reserve following hip surgery.
Davis suffered a non-contact hip injury and was moved to injured reserve before the season opener. The Cowboys subsequently added depth to their running back group.
This becomes important because Dallas is trying to establish a reliable running game around Javonte Williams.
Williams scored both a rushing and receiving touchdown against the Giants, but Dallas still struggled to consistently control the game.
The Cowboys need depth behind their primary backs.
With Davis unavailable, the workload could become more concentrated, increasing the importance of the remaining running backs staying healthy.
That is something to watch closely over the next few weeks.
5. Dallas Needs Its Defense Healthy After a Rough Debut
The fifth concern is bigger than one player.
The Cowboys’ entire defense needs to get healthy and improve quickly.
Dallas allowed the Giants to score 28 points, while New York controlled possession for more than 36 minutes. Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns, while Cam Skattebo added 81 rushing yards and a touchdown.
The Cowboys also struggled badly on third down.
Quinnen Williams specifically pointed to the team’s inability to get off the field as one of the major problems from the game.
That makes the Hooker and Overshown injuries even more significant.
Dallas is installing a new-look defense under defensive coordinator Christian Parker. The unit needs repetition, communication and continuity.
Losing key players immediately could slow that development.
The good news is that not every concern is an injury.
The Cowboys will also have opportunities to correct their tackling, third-down defense and run fits during the week.
What Happens Next for the Cowboys?
The immediate priority is getting more information on Hooker and Overshown.
The Cowboys are expected to learn more as medical testing and practice participation provide a clearer picture.
For Hooker, the potential forearm fracture is the biggest concern.
For Overshown, the severity of the hamstring issue will determine whether he can return quickly or faces time on the sidelines.
Dallas also needs to manage its existing injury situation carefully.
Tyler Smith is already expected to miss several weeks, while Malik Davis remains on injured reserve.
That puts even more pressure on the Cowboys’ healthy players.
Cowboys Injury Report: The Bottom Line
The 28-20 loss to the Giants was already a frustrating start for Dallas.
Now, the Cowboys have two significant defensive injury questions.
Malik Hooker’s possible forearm fracture is the biggest concern, while DeMarvion Overshown’s hamstring injury could also affect the defense in the short term.
For more NFL injuries and latest player updates, check our NFL injury report, including the latest news on players across the league.
The Cowboys will know much more after further testing and the first Week 2 practice reports.
For now, fans should avoid assuming a specific recovery timeline until the team provides additional information.
Dallas has plenty to fix after Week 1.
Keeping the remaining roster healthy will be just as important.
FAQs
Is Malik Hooker injured?
Yes. Hooker left the Cowboys’ loss to the Giants with a forearm injury. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said he may have fractured his forearm and that further testing was planned.
What happened to DeMarvion Overshown?
Overshown left the game with a hamstring injury. The Cowboys had not yet determined the severity immediately after the loss.
How long will Tyler Smith be out?
Tyler Smith was placed on injured reserve after thumb surgery and is expected to miss at least four games, with a potential return around Week 5.
Did the Cowboys lose to the Giants?
Yes. The Giants defeated the Cowboys 28-20 in the 2026 season opener.
When will the Cowboys provide more injury updates?
More information should become available through additional medical testing and the Cowboys’ Week 2 practice reports.
