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Cowboys Face Major Defensive Injury Questions Ahead of Week 9 Matchup Against Colts
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- Cowboys Face Major Defensive Injury Questions Ahead of Week 9 Matchup Against Colts
The Dallas Cowboys could be without several important defensive contributors when they travel to Indianapolis for Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Colts.
Dallas is already searching for answers after surrendering a 10-point fourth-quarter lead in its loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Now, injuries have created additional uncertainty for a defense that needs a strong performance to get the Cowboys back on track.
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Five defenders are worth monitoring heading into the weekend: Caleb Downs, P.J. Locke, Joey Porter Jr., DeMarvion Overshown and Dee Winters. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer provided updates on their situations Friday, but Dallas still has decisions to make before kickoff.
Caleb Downs and P.J. Locke making progress in concussion protocol
The Cowboys could have some important decisions to make at safety after Downs and Locke both entered concussion protocol following the Arizona game.
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There was some encouraging news Friday. Schottenheimer said both players were progressing well, but each still needed to clear another hurdle before receiving clearance to play. That included completing a full practice.
Downs is also dealing with an ankle injury, adding another layer to his availability. His potential absence would be significant for a Dallas defense that has relied on the rookie in the secondary.
If Downs cannot play, Cobie Durant is expected to handle his responsibilities in the slot after stepping into that role against Arizona.
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Locke's availability is another concern. Should he be sidelined, Alijah Clark is expected to have an opportunity to start at safety. Clark has received more playing time than Markquese Bell in recent weeks, making him a likely option if Dallas needs to adjust its lineup.
Joey Porter Jr. and DeMarvion Overshown remain questionable
The Cowboys also have uncertainty surrounding two important defensive starters in Porter and Overshown.
Porter is dealing with an ankle injury and saw his practice participation decrease as the week progressed. After initially practicing fully, the cornerback was limited Thursday and was expected to remain limited Friday.
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Schottenheimer said he was hopeful Porter would be available against Indianapolis, but stopped short of guaranteeing the cornerback would play. His status is particularly important with Dallas needing stability in a secondary that has struggled throughout the season.
Overshown's situation is also worth watching. The linebacker appeared on Thursday's injury report with hamstring and back issues after not being listed Wednesday.
If Overshown cannot play, Dallas has a potential replacement in Winters. The veteran linebacker has been working his way back from a calf injury and showed progress during the week, earning a full practice designation Thursday after being limited Wednesday.
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Winters could line up alongside Shemar James if Overshown is unavailable.
Cowboys need their defense healthy against Jonathan Taylor
The potential absences come at a difficult time for Dallas, which is preparing to face one of the NFL's most dangerous running backs.
Indianapolis' Jonathan Taylor has recorded 610 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 148 carries through eight games. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have allowed 152.8 rushing yards per game, the worst mark in the league.
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Losing key pieces in the secondary and at linebacker would make an already difficult defensive assignment even more challenging.
Dallas enters the matchup at 3-5 and cannot afford many more setbacks if it hopes to remain in the playoff conversation. The defense needs to improve its consistency, particularly after allowing Arizona to score four consecutive touchdowns during its comeback.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
