Latest news with #MalikHooker
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
'About 70%': Injured Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown turns heads with camp highlight
Matt Eberflus' defense continues to take the ball away — Malik Hooker grabbing the defense's third interception of the day (mix of QBs).Dak Prescott repaid this one with a touchdown throw to George battle is on. #Cowboys #TrainingCamp Training camp highlights, while fun to watch in the downtime of summer's dog days, typically don't offer too much in the way of deep insight. On any given play, a team may be trying out a new personnel package, working on one specific assignment, or implementing some tiny wrinkle that may never see the light of day come September. Then of course, there's the obvious: no tackling. No hitting. Heck, guys aren't even wearing pants. This isn't real football yet, because no one is putting in 100% maximum effort. But one moment from the Cowboys' work session on Thursday nevertheless turned heads for what one player showed while not even taking part in the action. The play was a goal-to-go situation from about the 6-yard-line. After eluding a nice pass rush from rookie defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku (who has had a brilliant camp thus far, by all accounts, and left Tyler Guyton stabbing at air), quarterback Dak Prescott rolls to his right and fires toward the back of the end zone, where wide receiver George Pickens was waiting. Pickens went up for the catch, but so did safety Malik Hooker, a few steps in front of him. Hooker reeled in the interception one-handed and took off in the other direction. It was an impressive pick from a defense that is making a habit of it this year in Oxnard, and a play worthy of attention all by itself. But then DeMarvion Overshown takes over the clip. From his starting position- out of bounds and behind Pickens- the non-helmeted linebacker- who is supposed to be just observing as he rehabs a brutal knee injury- streaks into view, blows past literally everyone else on the field, and escorts Hooker to the opposite end zone in a celebration that completely upstaged his teammate's dynamite grab. What should be even more exciting for Cowboys fans: after his eye-popping sprint went viral on social media, Overshown came out and admitted that he's still holding back as he continues his comeback bid. "That was about 70%," Overshown said on X. The ex-Longhorns star is already a fan favorite, despite having appeared in just 13 games going into his third season. After missing his entire rookie year with an ACL tear, Overshown suffered a triple tear of the ACL, MCL, and PCL in Week 14. Despite that significant setback, the 24-year-old has set his sights on returning to play this year, setting for himself a target date of Thanksgiving. He's in fact so motivated by his progress that he's even talked openly of claiming the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year honors. And while he's still just working with the rehab group at camp, he is, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer, staying mentally engaged by affixing himself to the hip of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, learning the system and talking through calls in preparation to wear the green dot once he does return. "I think that's the next step," Schottenheimer explained to reporters this week. But prepping to eventually handle signal-calling duties for the defense didn't stop Overshown on Thursday from sprinting to celebrate with them- albeit prematurely- after his teammate's acrobatic pick. It's only July, but that two-for-one highlight should be reason enough for Cowboys fans to feel good about where the defense- and Overshown- are. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Named Fit for Pro Bowl Safety in Unrealistic Trade Scenario
Cowboys Named Fit for Pro Bowl Safety in Unrealistic Trade Scenario originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The cornerback position has generated the most discussion and concern for the Dallas Cowboys heading into training camp. With the injury bug flying rampant throughout the unit, it's understandable to question what the Week 1 formation will look like. Advertisement In the defensive backfield, that setup is more predictable with Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson expected to start at both safety spots. That is, of course, if the Cowboys don't shake things up late in the offseason trade window. Last Word On Sports pins Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick as a player who could be traded soon because the Steelers extended fellow safety DeShon Elliott. This feels like questionable reasoning, given that Fitzpatrick has become one of the best safeties in the league, has been a fan-favorite staple of Pittsburgh's defense for years, and could still start next to Elliott ... like last season. Advertisement Fitzpatrick would be a massive upgrade from Wilson - who some picked to be a post-June cut in Dallas - but the option to pursue him in a trade simply won't be there, no matter how much the Cowboys are "in need". After a busy offseason, Dallas also isn't ready to fork over any more draft capital than they already have from their four trades. Fitzpatrick is coming off a down year statistically, but has still been selected for the past three Pro Bowls. He ranked No. 16 in Pro Football Focus' safety rankings heading into 2025. Just one spot below him? Malik Hooker. With Hooker commanding things deep alongside Wilson, the Cowboys should feel somewhat confident going into next season. Confident enough to not chase after hypothetical trades that other teams' wouldn't go for in the first place. Advertisement The real concern remains at cornerback, where safeties Israel Mukuamu and Juanyeh Thomas may be called on to fill in on occasion until Trevon Diggs and Shavon Revel come back from injury. Fitzpatrick would be a fit on most teams around the league, but his best fit remains the team he currently plays for. Hence why the Steelers signed him to a four-year contract extension just two years ago. Related: Aaron Rodgers Reportedly Moved Steelers To Make Cowboys George Pickens Trade Related: Cowboys 'Worst Signing Imaginable' Adds to 90-Man Roster This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Malik Hooker Avoids Major Injury During OTAs
Malik Hooker Avoids Major Injury During OTAs originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Dallas Cowboys continued their offseason program this past Tuesday and there were some notable takeaways during the OTA practice from inside The Star, where Mike Fisher was present. Advertisement Promising young defenders DeMarvion Overshown and Sam Williams were working with the rehab group as they push towards returning to the field this season. Elite wide receiver George Pickens sported his new No. 3 jersey and made plays all over the field. Now for the bad news. While the Cowboys are anticipating the return of several key players, starting safety Malik Hooker suffered an injury that forced him to leave practice early. We now are told that Hooker was dealing with back spasms and the word is that the defensive back will be fine for Thursday's OTAs. Hooker is arguably one of the Cowboys' most underrated players and has brought stability and playmaking to the free safety position since his arrival in 2021. Advertisement The former Ohio State Buckeye was selected 15th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Hooker has always been an undeniably talented football player but a devastating torn Achilles in 2020 with the Colts was a setback. Hooker was recently ranked as a top 20 safety in the NFL by PFF's Zoltan Buday—further proving his value to the Cowboys. Buday ranked the top 32 players at the safety position but noted Hooker declined in 2024. "Following two strong seasons in which he ranked among the top 15 safeties in PFF overall grade, Hooker's play declined this past season. The Ohio State product's 65.3 PFF overall grade ranked only 42nd at the position. However, over the previous two seasons, he combined to allow just 19 receptions and three touchdowns in coverage,' Buday wrote. Advertisement With Matt Eberflus now in the fold as the new defensive coordinator in Dallas, Hooker will be in a system he is familiar with—one that will hopefully allow him to tap into his early career success. ... as he pushes on with good health. Related: Micah Parsons and Mark Cuban Offer Their Keys to Success Related: Cowboys Signed Former Top-5 Pick In Untapped-Potential Hope This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
