Brian Schottenheimer isn’t pretending the Dallas Cowboys’ defense has been a fun watch through seven weeks. The numbers are rough, the production has lagged, and even a decent showing in Week 7 comes with an asterisk. But the head coach says there is at least one reason to believe the unit can climb out of the mess: health.
“You felt (DeMarvion Overshown) coming back, I thought that was great," Schotty said on 105.3 The Fan. "I think getting healthy is a big part of it."
"Overall, I think the health of this defense is what's getting us really excited," he added. "We're getting bodies back and that's huge for us."
That optimism comes with the Cowboys sitting dead-last against the run entering Week 8, along with ranking 24th in points allowed per game and 20th in pass defense. Even their better stretch from last week doesn’t fully cleanse the picture, because Dallas held the Philadelphia Eagles to 21 points while facing a depleted opponent. Philadelphia was without quarterback Jalen Hurts, top receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks, and Saquon Barkley was not healthy and was in and out of the game.
Still, the injury toll on Dallas has been impossible to ignore. The defensive line, linebacker group, cornerbacks and safeties have all taken hits, with the edge rushers being the one room that has mostly stayed intact.
Jonathan Bullard has missed all but three games, though he was designated to return from injured reserve on Thursday and is on his way back. Overshown has been out for a handful of games at linebacker, and Dee Winters is now hurt and expected to miss his second game.
At cornerback, Cobie Durant has been sidelined for four games, while Joey Porter Jr. has also been dealing with injuries. The safety spot has been hit too, with Malik Hooker, Jalen Thompson and P.J.
Locke all missing time. Hooker is back, while Locke and Thompson are on injured reserve.
Locke is nearing a return after his 21-day practice window opened last week.
For now, getting healthier is one of the few things Dallas can point to as a path forward. Another would be a major trade for a difference-making edge rusher, but that’s not something the Cowboys can count on.
And even if the bodies start coming back, there’s still a larger issue hanging over the unit. Defensive coordinator Christian Parker has to make this group function better, because without that, the ceiling stays low no matter who returns.
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