The Dallas Cowboys defense has been underwhelming in the first two games of Christian Parker's tenure as defensive coordinator, with the biggest problem being stopping the quarterback run.
Maybe that will get better when Dallas heads to Rio de Janeiro to take on Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens
; it better or the Cowboys will be in some trouble against one of the game's elite running quarterbacks.
They'll be down some defenders, probably four of them, as the first injury report was fairly predictable and also showed some problems for the Ravens. Meanwhile, George Pickens is waiting for his 2026 breakout, but no one seems to be concerned yet.
Here is what the Cowboys
are doing as they get ready to board a plane for Rio.
By the numbers: Dallas defense bad against QB rush
Todd Brock of USA Today's Dallas Cowboys wire looked at the numbers from Dallas' win over Washington and saw what everyone else did: Dallas' defense has many issues, starting with containing the quarterback run. This seems like a big problem, with Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens waiting in Rio de Janeiro.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels had 69 yards on seven carries and that was a number Brock went with.
With the heading "9.9: Average YPC (carry) allowed to Jayden Daniels" he wrote:
"Daniels gashed the Cowboys for 69 yards — in just one half ― before leaving Sunday's game and averaged 9.9 yards every time he left the pocket. That's more than double the per-rush rate Jaxson Dart recorded in Week 1. The Cowboys defense is currently allowing over 6.5 yards to opposing quarterbacks... and Lamar Jackson is up next. Scheme, gap discipline, poor tackling, whatever the issue... this needs fixing ASAP."
Other numbers from the Washington game Brock pointed out in the column were 2.5, which is Javonte Williams' average yards per rush, 40, which was Dallas' average starting field position, and 57.1%, which was Washington's third-down conversion percentage.
Translation: Dallas isn't effective at running the ball and the defense still has issues to fix.
Dallas Cowboys release first injury report
Per NFL protocol, the Dallas Cowboys released their first injury report before Sunday's game against Baltimore in Rio de Janeiro, and as expected, it wasn't very illuminating.
The one name on there that wasn't entirely expected was outside linebacker James Houston with a shoulder injury, but he was at full practice Wednesday, Sept. 23, so that doesn't seem like an issue.
Beyond that, the four defensive names likely to be on there were: Cornerback Cobie Durant (hamstring), safety Malik Hooker (forearm), safety PJ Locke (foot) and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring). Everyone on the injury list's game status is listed as "unspecified." None practiced Wednesday.
Cowboys injury updates:
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) September 23, 2026
S P.J. Locke (plantar fasciitis) - Out of the walking boot
LB DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) - Progressing well, but “low probability” to play
CB Cobie Durant (hamstring) - Will start on-field rehab today
S Malik Hooker (forearm) - Still rehabbing
Per Dallas Cowboys beat writer Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Overshown is "low probability" to play. Locke is out of a walking boot, Durant has started on-field rehab and Hooker is still rehabbing. Realistically, all four seem doubtful or worse for Sunday's game in Rio.
Jaishawn Barham looks sure to get his second start in place of Overshown and will wear the green dot after a standout game against Washington.
Notable Ravens players who didn't practice Wednesday were receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring), linebacker Trey Hendrickson (finger) and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (toe).
George Pickens' yards per catch not great yet
After a strong preseason, receiver George Pickens is off to a slow start, as he had two drops in the opening loss to the New York Giants, then had just 40 receiving yards on six catches against Washington when the offense as a whole was clicking.
He is now averaging 7.6 yards per catch, less than half last season's average. That was considered a surprise in ESPN's story, "Evaluating surprise early-season trends for 32 NFL teams," but Cowboys writer Todd Archer said it isn't much cause for concern.
He writes: "The verdict: Mirage. The wide receiver entered the season averaging 16 yards per catch. Last season, he averaged 15.4 yards per catch and had 22 catches of at least 20 yards. So far, opposing defenses are keeping the lid on Pickens, but he did have two drops in Week 1. After those drops against the Giants, Dallas coach Brian Schottenheimer stressed that everything with Pickens will be 'fine.' And a two-game sample hasn't changed that belief."
Pickens, meanwhile, wasn't concerned after his team lit up Washington.
"Long as we score, and as long as we're winning, me personally, if I'm blocking or if I'm setting a crack block and that engineered the 37 points, I'm happy," Pickens told DallasCowboys.com.
Schottenheimer also spoke highly of his play last week.
"Of course I want to get him and CeeDee the ball," Schottenheimer told DallasCowboys.com. "I think CeeDee is playing great, I think George is playing really well. Some of the catches he made [against Washington] were really big time plays in big time situations for us… He draws a lot of attention out there. But believe me, we're looking for ways to continue to get those guys the ball.
"If you look at George last year, he didn't take off until a couple games in. And the rest, as they know, is history how well he played. I have no questions about him and his readiness. He'll be ready to go this week."
Who do the Dallas Cowboys play next?
The Dallas Cowboys “host” the Baltimore Ravens in the first game in NFL history in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday, Sept. 27. The 2:25 p.m. MT/3:25 p.m. CT/5:25 local Rio time kickoff will be televised on CBS.
Dallas Cowboys tickets 2026
Seat Geek is the official partner of the Dallas Cowboys, so this is where to get official tickets. The Cowboys are also offering packages for the Week 3 game in Rio de Janeiro against the Ravens, ranging from $1,200 to $5,750. That doesn't include airfare and the cheap rate doesn't include hotel.
Other places to buy tickets, which will be more expensive but with a much larger selection than the official tickets, include StubHub, TicketMaster and Vivid Seats. Those sites also offer tickets for away games.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Can Dallas Cowboys stop Lamar Jackson? Injury concerns add doubt
