FRISCO — The Cowboys’ secondary already had injury concerns heading into their Week 3 game against the Ravens. It got even worse after. 

Thompson would be the second safety placed on injured reserve in two weeks. The Cowboys placed P.J. Locke on injured reserve after he suffered a torn plantar fascia in his right foot in the Week 2 win over Washington. In addition, the Cowboys are still awaiting the return of safety Malik Hooker, who fractured his forearm in Week 1. It required surgery. Schottenheimer said that Hooker is doing well in his recovery, but didn’t offer a timeline beyond that. 

The Cowboys could also be without their second and third cornerbacks against the Houston Texans. Schottenheimer said Cobie Durant (hamstring) likely won’t play against the Texans, especially with a Thursday home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the schedule after Sunday’s game in Houston. Durant was replaced on Sunday in Brazil by Shavon Revel Jr., who hurt both his ankle and knee while making a tackle in the fourth quarter. Revel could return to practice this week, but they need to see how he moves around to determine whether he can play Sunday. 

Corners Caelen Carson and Ameer Speed both replaced Revel against the Ravens. Both could be options to start Sunday if Durant and Revel can’t play. 

Through three weeks, the Cowboys only have two of the five starters they had on opening day left in their secondary: cornerback DaRon Bland and first-round defensive back Caleb Downs. 

The Cowboys are expected to add two defensive backs in the wake of those injuries, people familiar with the situation told The Dallas Morning News: cornerback Alex Austin and former Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas. 

Austin was originally a seventh-round pick out of Oregon State in 2023 by the Buffalo Bills. He played for the Houston Texans and New England Patriots. He’s started in six games in his career and has one interception.

Thomas was originally signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech in 2022. He played in 36 games and started four over three seasons with the Cowboys’ active roster. He had five pass breakups and 62 tackles. He also was a key contributor on special teams. 

Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown could also return to practice this week. He suffered a hamstring strain in Week 1. That opened the door for rookie Jaishawn Barham in the starting lineup. Barham has played well in two games for the Cowboys.