The Dallas Cowboys got their season back on track against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, but it came at a cost. In the first half, cornerback Cobie Durant and P.J. Locke suffered respective hamstring and foot injuries and were swiftly ruled out for the game.
While Dallas didn't have clarity on either injury after the win, Brian Schottenheimer offered updates on both defensive backs in his Monday press conference.
Brian Schottenheimer on Cobie Durant and P.J. Locke
"Cobie's got the hamstring strain, and P.J. tore the plantar fascia in his foot, so both those guys could be a few weeks ... We haven't finalized any decisions yet (about placing Locke on injured reserve)."
"That is correct (that a full plantar fascia tear is better than a partial tear). You and I are both learning about doctor stuff. But yeah, they say it's better. It's pretty sore for a week, and then it begins to heal much quicker when you tear it fully."
The Cowboys' defense is extremely banged up going into Week 3
Durant suffered his injury right before halftime on a coverage rep where he denied a last-minute touchdown, applying tight coverage on Terry McLaurin on a pass that fell incomplete.
It wasn't immediately clear what happened when Locke went down, but the injury looked concerning on first watch. He needed multiple staffers to help him off the field and was spotted in a walking boot after the win.
You can take solace in the fact that neither injury appears overly serious. Any time you hear "torn" in an injury diagnosis, it's easy to assume the worst, but it's encouraging that the Cowboys haven't felt the need to put Locke on IR. And it sounds like Durant avoided a worst-case scenario with his hamstring
Having said that, these are both brutal injuries for a Dallas defense that is already waiting for Malik Hooker (forearm) and DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) to return from injury.
Schottenheimer said it'll be "tough" for Hooker and Overshown to return this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens due to the short week (Dallas has to leave earlier than normal since they're playing in Brazil), but he "won't say no," offering some optimism that they could play.
If Hooker and Overshown, who were both given a 1-2 week timeline, can't go, that means the Cowboys could be without three starters and one key player on a defense that can ill afford to dip into its depth.
Expect more Shavon Revel and Markquese Bell vs. the Ravens
"Next man up," Schottenheimer added. "That's real. I thought we used the elevations well for the linebackers. I think we're working some things potentially on defense, maybe in the secondary. We've got some guys there that might step up and help us in a couple different roles. But as we get into the plan, I think it's going to be what this league is about, is next man up."
Look for Revel to slot into the starting lineup in Durant's absence.
The second-year cornerback was impressive after tagging in against Washington. He ran stride for stride with Dyami Brown on a go ball and did an excellent job of jamming Brown to the sideline. On another rep, he jumped a dig route for a near interception.
According to Pro Football Focus, Revel was targeted a team-high eight times. He allowed four catches for 45 yards and registered a PBU, equating to a 67.2 passer rating allowed.
Markquese Bell, meanwhile, wasn't terrible, but he had a really bad rep in the first quarter. On a 3rd-and-18, Bell continued to backpedal behind the first-down marker, allowing Terry McLaurin to camp comfortably just beyond the line to gain to move the chains.
The 27-year-old was fine against the run and didn't miss a tackle on five tries. His athleticism and instincts against the run will be key in containing Lamar Jackson. The Ravens don't have an explosive passing offense, but Jackson, as we know, is more than capable of taking over a game with his legs. And Derrick Henry is still as dangerous as any back in the game.
One busted assignment or poor pursuit angle can turn into a 25-yard gain in the blink of an eye. The Cowboys will need the spine of their defense to play disciplined football and, above all else, finish tackles, despite being down multiple key contributors.
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