Cowboys fans are acting too confident right now. The recent win over Indianapolis feels great, but the injury report tells a much darker story. Yahoo Sports reports that the safety group is completely shot through with injuries. Four safeties are on the injury report this week. This level of optimism ignores a unit that has not been healthy for months.
The team paid big money for Jalen Thompson this winter. He signed a three-year, $33 million deal to fill a huge role. Instead, he has played only 167 snaps all season. His practice window has not even opened yet. Thompson will miss Sunday’s game against San Francisco, but executive vice president Stephen Jones said the safety could be in consideration for a return against Tennessee on November 22. Dallas has not yet opened his 21-day practice window.
The Safety Room Is Empty
The situation at safety is worse than any other position. PJ Locke is out with a concussion after missing a second straight game. A hamstring injury leaves Juanyeh Thomas doubtful. Alijah Clark is listed as questionable because he missed practice due to illness. Malik Hooker missed practice due to a personal issue. Jones noted that Hooker is expected to play, but the lack of depth is a major problem.
Malachi Lawrence is on the injured reserve. Linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku is out with an ankle injury, but DeMarvion Overshown has been cleared to return after dealing with a hamstring and back issue. DaRon Bland and Joey Porter Jr. are both questionable because of ankle problems. The cornerback room is also in bad shape. The coaching staff has to figure out who can actually play against a strong 49ers offense.
False Hope From Recent Wins
The victory over Indianapolis on Sunday, November 8, masked these deep issues. Dallas won 27-23 at Lucas Oil Stadium. That score looks good, but the opponent was not a top-tier defense. The next test is much harder. The 7-1 San Francisco 49ers visit AT&T Stadium on Sunday, November 15. This team will immediately expose a thin safety group.
Roster moves show the desperation. Dallas re-signed veteran DE Jonathan Bullard to the active roster. They signed TE James Mitchell from the practice squad. RB Tyler Goodson went to injured reserve. OLB Tyrus Wheat was released. The club elevated RB Israel Abanikanda and CB Derion Kendrick from the practice squad. These are stopgap fixes for a broken system.
Jones said on Friday that the team faces the 49ers at AT&T Stadium on Sunday. Then they get the 1-7 Titans at home in Week 11. The Titans game offers a reset, but the 49ers game is the real test. Injuries at every level have forced the defense to cope throughout the season. There is no time to work together when players are on IR every week.
Confidence is fine, but it must be based on facts. The facts show a decimated safety group and a team without its best free-agent signing on the field. The cornerback room is full of players with ankle problems. The 49ers have Deebo Samuel back after missing three contests. The matchup on Sunday, November 15, will be very difficult for Dallas.
