The Dallas Cowboys could be without Malik Hooker for several weeks after the safety suffered a forearm injury during Dallas' Week 1 loss to the New York Giants.
Hooker left the game in the third quarter following a collision with a Giants player. The veteran safety was taken to the locker room for X-rays, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer later said there was a possibility that Hooker had suffered a fracture.
Dallas will conduct further testing
The Cowboys' medical staff will perform additional evaluations to determine the severity of the injury. The team has not yet established a timetable for Hooker's return.
A potential absence would create another challenge for a Dallas defense that allowed 28 points in the loss to the Giants and could now face significant changes in its secondary.
DeMarvion Overshown also injured
Dallas also finished the game with another defensive concern. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown left in the second half with a hamstring injury.
Schottenheimer said the Cowboys do not yet know the severity of Overshown's injury. He had recorded seven tackles before leaving the game.
The Cowboys need defensive reinforcements
Hooker's and Overshown's injuries came after a difficult opening game for Dallas, which lost 28-20 to New York.
The Cowboys will now await further medical testing before determining what roster moves may be necessary to reinforce the defense heading into Week 2.