The Dallas Cowboys left AT&T Stadium with a 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday but also with a growing list of defensive injuries heading into a rare international trip.
Dallas improved to 1-1 after Dak Prescott completed 26 of 31 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns. The performance pushed Prescott past Tony Romo for the franchise record with 249 career scoring throws.
CeeDee Lamb caught eight passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Jake Ferguson also hauled in two scoring throws as the Cowboys pulled away after Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels left with a dislocated left elbow late in the first half.
The Commanders fell to 0-2. Daniels’ injury came on the final play before intermission when he was stepped on and landed awkwardly. Washington coach Dan Quinn said X-rays showed no fracture, with further imaging planned.
Dallas already entered the game without starting safety Malik Hooker (forearm fracture) and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring). Both were expected to miss one to two weeks after Week 1 injuries against the New York Giants.
Safety P.J. Locke, who started in Hooker’s place, lasted only a few plays. He suffered a foot injury on a non-contact play during Washington’s opening drive and needed help leaving the field.
“P.J. Locke is being helped to the sideline without walking under his own power,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter Nick Harris posted. “Straight to the tent. Not good for safety depth that is already being challenged today.”
Locke was later seen in a walking boot. Cornerback Cobie Durant left with a hamstring injury and did not return. Rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham suffered a stinger but came back after his first NFL start.
Markquese Bell replaced Locke and recorded five tackles. Dee Winters led Dallas with nine tackles and a fumble recovery after briefly leaving with a shoulder issue.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said after the game the team “did get beat up a little bit, so we’ll figure that stuff out in the morning.” He added, “But yeah, it’s a unique week, but one that we’re looking forward to. We’ll take any test people want to throw at us.”
Executive vice president Stephen Jones said Monday he does not believe Locke’s foot injury or Durant’s hamstring will require injured reserve, which would sideline a player at least four games. Jones described the recent defensive injuries as typically two-to-four-week issues.
Schottenheimer has previously praised Locke’s work.
“We love P.J. Locke,” he said after the season opener. “I think Caleb (Downs) played really, really well… Caleb’s a guy that can move around, but we like him down near the line of scrimmage.”
Dallas now prepares for the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, the NFL’s first regular-season game in that city. The Cowboys are scheduled to travel later this week.
Soccer players who use the stadium have criticized the grass surface, citing uneven patches and poor penalty-area conditions. NFL field director Nick Pappas said Monday he expects the game to proceed as planned after on-site inspections.
Schottenheimer said the team had spoken with operations staff and the league.
“We talked a little bit today with the operations people, Todd Williams, his team have been in direct contact with the league,” he said. “The league seems to feel like everything’s going to be fine, and in reality, you know, we were focused on this, but I have no concerns.”
The Cowboys’ secondary and linebacker groups will be tested against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens if several players remain limited. Dallas has avoided placing most of the recent injured players on IR so far, keeping roster flexibility but leaving the defense short-handed in the short term.
Prescott’s record-setting day and the home win provided a lift after an opening loss. The injury situation and the long trip to Brazil now become the immediate focus as the team evaluates who can play Sunday.
