A scary moment at Dallas Cowboys training camp quickly turned into a much better outcome for PJ Locke than it first appeared.
Video from the first day of camp showed Locke backpedaling and planting on his left knee before his leg bent in an unnatural way. The non-contact nature of the play immediately raised alarm, and he had to leave the field early with the head trainer and head toward the medical tent. For a few tense moments, the footage suggested something far worse than a routine camp mishap.
The concern around the secondary was real because Locke had been lined up for a prominent role this summer. Trainers rushed to check on what looked like a severe lower-limb injury during a heavy scrimmage sequence, and the sight of his leg bending backward sparked early fears of a serious ligament tear.
But the update brought relief: Locke suffered a hyperextended knee, which is the best-case scenario after how it looked on video.
Locke is one of the Cowboys’ secondary additions this offseason. He signed a one-year, $4 million deal after spending six years with the Denver Broncos.
Last season, he recorded 16 total tackles in the 2025 NFL regular season, his lowest total since 2021. He also had an interception in the AFC playoffs a year ago that helped seal a win over the Buffalo Bills.
Now in Dallas, Locke reunites with new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. The Cowboys value his communication and versatility, and his availability remains important to a defense that had been counting on him for deep safety coverage. For the moment, though, his brief absence opens the door for younger longshots to get more practice reps.
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