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Cowboys safety Malik Hooker, left, returned to practice Thursday.

The Cowboys’ much-maligned defense could soon get reinforcements. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Thursday that safety Malik Hooker is returning to practice, according to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.

Hooker, 29, was placed on injured reserve after sustaining a toe injury in a Week 4 game against the Packers. He is now eligible to resume practicing, and Dallas will have 21 days to add him to the 53-man roster.

He has 20 tackles (12 solo) in four starts this season after collecting 81 tackles and two interceptions across 17 games in 2024.

Cowboys’ Secondary Has Battled Numerous Injuries

Hooker was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice as he works his way back from injury. The former first-round pick started the first four games of this season before getting hurt in Dallas’ 40-40 tie with Green Bay.

Ever since, Dallas has struggled mightily to fill Hooker’s position in the secondary. Juanyeh Thomas replaced him in Weeks 5 and 6 before he was sidelined with recurring migraines. Markquese Bell stepped in for Week 7, but the Cowboys’ other starting safety, Donovan Wilson, left that game with an elbow injury. That left undrafted rookie Alijah Clark in a tough spot for Week 8.

The constant turnover has been incredibly problematic for the Cowboys’ defense, which ranks 31st in both yards allowed (397.4) and points allowed (30.8). Across the NFL, only the Bengals have been scored on more frequently (33.3).

The Cowboys (3-5-1) are just 1-3 in their last four games. They will be in Las Vegas on Monday night to play the Raiders.

Wilson Also Returns to Practice

Also back at practice Thursday was Wilson, whose last appearance came in Week 7 against the Commanders. In addition to an elbow injury, the 30-year-old has been dealing with shoulder and knee issues.

Wilson has 36 tackles (21 solo) and two interceptions in seven games.

Hooker and Wilson ranked first and second on the team, respectively, in defensive snaps last season. Their return could drastically reshape a secondary that’s had to rely on unproven commodities for far too long.

Douglas Bonjour is a breaking news contributor covering the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy. He is also a contributing writer for The Associated Press and has worked for Point Spreads, the Connecticut Post and Hearst Connecticut Media as a reporter and editor. More about Douglas Bonjour

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