Dallas Cowboys face safety depth crisis amid injuries

The Dallas Cowboys are facing significant depth issues at the safety position due to a series of injuries during the 2026 NFL season. Malik Hooker was sidelined in Week 1, followed by P. J. Locke, who was subsequently placed on injured reserve. Most recently, veteran addition Jalen Thompson was injured during a Week 3 game in Rio de Janeiro and is expected to miss four to six weeks.

Critics have noted that while the Cowboys overhauled their defense under coordinator Christian Parker, their transactions have been characterized by overpromising and underspending. Major moves, such as the trades for Rashan Gary and Dee Winters, have been described as underwhelming given the compensation required. With the secondary depleted, the team may need to seek external additions to stabilize the unit before their upcoming matchup against the Houston Texans.