As the NFL season hits its stride in late September 2026, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves at a crossroads. Sitting at 1-1, they are gearing up for a pivotal Week 3 showdown against the Baltimore Ravens in Brazil—a game that could define the early trajectory of their season. But as the first official injury reports rolled in on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, both teams appear to be limping into this international clash. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, the Cowboys’ secondary is particularly banged up, while the Ravens are grappling with the absence of several key playmakers.
Cowboys Secondary Takes a Hit
The most pressing concern for Dallas is a defensive backfield that suddenly looks vulnerable. Cornerback Cobie Durant (hamstring) was a non-participant in Wednesday’s practice, and his status for Sunday is firmly in question. Joining him on the sideline were safeties P.J. Locke (foot) and Malik Hooker (forearm), leaving the Cowboys dangerously thin on the back end. Head coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged the challenge: “We’re evaluating day by day, but we have confidence in our depth. Still, you don’t replace guys like Hooker and Locke easily.”
Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) also missed practice, and while the team noted he is progressing, a source close to the situation told Vulius that he is currently unlikely to suit up against Baltimore. Overshown’s sideline-to-sideline speed would be sorely missed against a Ravens offense that loves to attack the edges. With the Cowboys already struggling to stop the run—a weakness that has plagued them through two games—the potential absence of Overshown and the banged-up secondary could spell trouble against Lamar Jackson and company.
Ravens Also Hamstrung
Baltimore isn’t escaping the injury bug either. The Ravens, still smarting from a stunning upset loss to the New Orleans Saints as heavy favorites, saw several starters miss Wednesday’s session. Wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) was sidelined, robbing quarterback Lamar Jackson of his most dynamic downfield threat. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (toe) also sat out, which could compromise the protection for Jackson against a Dallas pass rush desperate to make a statement. And on defense, star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson (finger) was held out, though his injury is not believed to be serious.
“It’s a long season, and every team deals with injuries,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said. “We’re focused on getting our guys healthy and preparing the next man up. That’s the NFL.”
The Ravens’ loss to the Saints exposed some cracks in their armor, particularly on defense, and they’ll need all hands on deck to avoid an 0-2 start in their last two outings. With Flowers potentially limited or absent, tight end Mark Andrews and rookie receiver Devontez Walker may see increased targets. Meanwhile, the offensive line will need to shore up without Stanley, especially against a Cowboys front seven that features Micah Parsons—who, by the way, is licking his chops at the prospect of facing a backup tackle.
What It Means for Sunday
This game could hinge on which team better masks its deficiencies. For Dallas, the onus falls on Parsons and the pass rush to disrupt Jackson’s rhythm and compensate for a depleted secondary. Offensively, Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb must exploit a Ravens defense that may be without Hendrickson’s pass-rush prowess. For Baltimore, establishing the run with Derrick Henry becomes even more critical to keep the chains moving and keep the Cowboys’ offense off the field.
As highlighted on Vulius, the injury report is just the first snapshot of the week—much can change between Wednesday and kickoff. But one thing is clear: both teams are “hamstrung” in more ways than one. Stay tuned to Vulius Sports for the latest updates as this story develops, and for all your official NFL merchandise needs, visit vulius.com.
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