The Cowboys have been decimated by injuries to players they signed this offseason, but the tide has to turn eventually, right?
The Dallas Cowboys' defense was already a big question mark in 2026 when it was fully healthy under Christian Parker.
And just three weeks in, Parker's defense has been bitten badly by the injury bug.
After losing Malik Hooker and DeMarvion Overshown early, that list has grown further, with Jalen Thompson, Cobie Durant, and P.J. Locke added, along with Shavon Revel Jr. and Jonathan Bullard, who are also injured.
Seeing as Durant and Thompson were starters for Dallas, Parker's defense is already wafer-thin, hence the signings of Juanyeh Thomas, Alex Austin, and Elijah Garcia.
Now, help is on the way; Dallas' late-Wednesday trade for star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. represents a major upgrade ... assuming his "sore back'' suddenly gets to feeling good once he steps into the locker room at The Star.
But short of Porter serving as a magical fix ...
The worst part of these injuries is that Locke, Durant, and Thompson were all signed this offseason to improve the defense, and Thompson and Locke are now both on IR.
That means we might not see them all on the field together until late October. That's nasty.
But does that line of thinking go through Brian Schottenheimer's head?
"We look at it as an opportunity for somebody else," Schottenheimer said. "Think we've built a deep roster, is that being tested a little bit now? Of course. When you get multiple guys hurt at one position, it makes it difficult. I say this all the time, no one cares, you got to go out there and play.
"We feel like this is going to turn, and when it does, I think we'll be a tough match."
And Schottenheimer is right. No one cares.
While yes, it was Reddy Stewart, Alijah Clark, and Markquese Bell who got significant reps in Rio, that is likely to be the same plan for the Houston Texans clash on Sunday, so it will be a hold-your-breath game for Cowboys Nation. ...
Again, unless Porter provides an immediate upgrade.
The defense has made strides in some areas, but a team can only absorb so many injuries before the doors get blown off.
Dallas fought their butts off against the Baltimore Ravens, and now an injury-riddled defense has to go again, on the road, in Houston.
But again, you have injuries? No one cares. This is the NFL. Go play football. ... oh, and go get Joey Porter Jr.
