The Dallas Cowboys are getting help back in their secondary before Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans. Malik Hooker and Shavon Revel finished Friday’s practice as full participants and carry no game-status designation, giving Dallas two important defensive options heading into Week 4.

Hooker hasn’t played since fracturing his forearm in the season opener against the Giants. Revel’s availability follows a knee and ankle injury suffered against Baltimore. Their progress is encouraging, though it doesn’t mean the Cowboys’ injury problems have disappeared.

Two Returns, Two More Absences

Cornerback Cobie Durant and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown have been ruled out with hamstring injuries. Both missed every practice this week. Outside linebacker James Houston, listed with a shoulder injury, practiced fully throughout the week and has no game designation.

The distinction matters: Friday’s report makes Hooker and Revel available, while Durant and Overshown remain unavailable. It doesn’t establish how many snaps the returning defensive backs will play or what their assignments will be.

Hooker’s return comes with Dallas still missing safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke. That makes another available veteran particularly useful for a secondary that’s been forced to adjust early in the season.

Porter’s Role Is Another Piece

Joey Porter Jr. also gives the Cowboys a new option at cornerback after Wednesday night’s trade. Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Friday morning that Dallas wanted to see another strong practice before feeling comfortable with Porter’s readiness for Houston.

Schottenheimer emphasized understanding the defense and communicating, alongside the physical work. He also indicated the staff had a plan for how to use Porter if he plays. That leaves an important difference between adding talent and immediately knowing what the game-day rotation will look like.

For Dallas, the practical question is how these pieces fit together. Hooker and Revel can give the staff more choices, but Durant’s absence keeps the cornerback situation in focus. Overshown’s absence leaves a separate challenge at linebacker.

The Cowboys don’t need to treat a cleaner injury report as a finished solution. They need the available defenders to handle their roles together. Friday brought welcome progress; Sunday’s matchup will show how much that progress helps on the field.