Dallas Cowboys Lose Starting Safety to Non-Contact Injury vs Commanders

The Dallas Cowboys keep getting hit with injuries on defense.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer looks on during the game between the Cowboys and the Saints at AT&T Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Dallas Cowboys are looking to put together a bounce-back performance on defense in Week 2's home opener against the Washington Commanders on Sunday afternoon.

But doing so only got more difficult after the first drive, as Dallas got hit with yet another injury on defense.

Cowboys safety Malik Hooker was already ruled out due to a forearm injury. Now, new Dallas safety P.J. Locke is dealing with an injury of his own in just his second game with the team.

P.J. Locke Helped Off After Foot Injury on First Drive

Dallas Cowboys safety PJ Locke (1) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Locke is dealing with a foot injury, per reports from Nick Harris of the Fort Worth-Star Telegram. The replay on the FOX broadcast showed him running in for a tackle, but coming up with a limp before making contact with another player.

Locke then had to be helped off with arms around two members of the training staff during Washington's first drive of the game on Sunday.

He then headed off to the locker room after leaving he field, this time under his own power, per reports from Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News.

Locke signed a one-year, $4 million contract with Dallas this offseason after spending the first six years of his NFL career with the Denver Broncos.

He had two total tackles in Dallas' season-opening loss the New York Giants in Week 1.

Who Replaces P.J. Locke in the Cowboys Secondary?

Dallas Cowboys safety P.J. Locke (1) at training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

When Locke exited during the first quarter, the Cowboys replaced him with Markquese Bell.

But right after that, the Dallas defense gave up a conversion on 3rd and 18 as Jayden Daniels found Terry McLaurin for a 24-yard gain. This eventually led to a field goal for Washington to cut the lead to 10-3.

Dallas' defense held up but points could have been prevented entirely if the secondary had done its job on an obvious passing down.

It's clear that the Cowboys can't afford any more injuries in the secondary, or there could be more chunk plays for opposing offenses.

But in the meantime, Bell could be seeing more snaps until the severity of Locke's foot injury is revealed.

Bell has spent the past five years with Dallas and brings experience to the table. He's appeared in 40 career games (11 starts) while posting 143 total tackles (87 solo), three forced fumbles, seven forced fumbles and one interception.

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