The Dallas Cowboys placed safety Jalen Thompson and defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard on injured reserve Wednesday, ruling both out until at least November.
Dallas identified Thompson’s injury as a hamstring problem and Bullard’s as a calf injury. The club said November 1 against the Arizona Cardinals is the first game in which either player could return. That is an eligibility date, rather than a commitment that either will be ready to play.
The Cowboys filled one of the two openings by signing defensive tackle Elijah Garcia from their practice squad to the 53-man roster. One active-roster spot remained available following the moves, according to the team.
Dallas also added three defensive backs to its practice squad: Alex Austin, Tyrek Funderburk and Juanyeh Thomas.
Thompson joins fellow safety P.J. Locke on injured reserve. Dallas moved Locke to that list on September 26, leaving the team to work around multiple absences at the position.
October 1 follow-up: Dallas also added cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from Pittsburgh. He practiced Thursday, although his availability against Houston remained undecided. Read the Porter acquisition and first-practice update for that separate change to the cornerback group.
October 2 update: Hooker and Revel finish the week without game designations
Malik Hooker and Shavon Revel both practiced fully Friday and received no injury designation for Sunday’s game at Houston. Hooker’s return gives Dallas another safety option while Thompson and P.J. Locke remain on injured reserve. It does not change Thompson’s November 1 earliest eligibility date.
Cobie Durant and DeMarvion Overshown have been ruled out with hamstring injuries. Friday’s report therefore improves the secondary’s available options without restoring the entire defensive group.
How the roster moves differ
- Thompson and Bullard: injured reserve removes them from the active roster; November 1 is an earliest return date, not medical clearance.
- Garcia: his signing to the 53-man roster is a full promotion from the practice squad.
- Austin, Funderburk and Thomas: practice-squad signings add depth, but are not, on their own, active-roster promotions or confirmation of a Sunday appearance.
The original reference to one open roster spot describes the September 30 moves, rather than a live roster count after subsequent transactions. Dallas visits Houston on October 4 at noon CDT (1 p.m. EDT), then faces Tampa Bay on October 8. That short turnaround makes the distinction between available this Sunday and eligible later especially important.
For Houston’s side of the matchup, see the updated Nico Collins and Texans injury report.
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