Cowboys Elevate 2 Linebackers Hours Before Commanders Matchup

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys elevated linebackers Justin Barron and Curtis Robinson from their practice squad Saturday for Sunday’s home opener against the Washington Commanders.

On Friday, Dallas ruled out linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker for the game. Overshown strained a hamstring in the opener. Hooker had surgery Tuesday on a fractured forearm, and Dallas did not place him on injured reserve. Neither practiced Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.

Overshown wore the green dot last Sunday night at MetLife Stadium, where the New York Giants beat Dallas 28-20. He played 51 defensive snaps. Dee Winters played 40, and rookie Jaishawn Barham played 34. Barham, a third-round pick, is expected to start in Overshown’s place and wear the green dot.

NFL teams may elevate as many as two practice squad players for a game. Each player can be elevated three times in a season.

Brian Schottenheimer Named Curtis Robinson, Justin Barron As Practice Squad Options

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday that Dallas was hoping for a two-week window with Hooker’s fracture. Overshown’s strain could keep him out one to two weeks, Schottenheimer said, but it was nothing long-term.

“We’ve got to move these guys around a little bit,” Schottenheimer said. “Dee Winters is obviously most experienced of the group. Jaishawn got some valuable playtime [Sunday], did some good things, did some things that he needs to improve on. Shemar James is a valued member of our football team, very smart, very bright.”

“And then obviously we’ve got some guys on practice squad that we’ve got elevations,” Schottenheimer continued. “Curtis Robinson is a veteran. He’s played a lot of football in this league as well. And then Justin Barron’s a guy we have a lot of high expectations for.”

Dallas signed Robinson this offseason after he spent parts of five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. The Denver Broncos signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford in 2021. San Francisco added him in December of that year. At final cuts, Dallas released Robinson and signed him to the practice squad the next day.

Last season, Robinson appeared in 14 games for the 49ers and made 3 starts. He finished with 42 tackles and 1 pass defensed. Across 29 career games, he has 52 tackles. Robinson tore an ACL in September 2024. San Francisco named him its nominee for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.

Justin Barron Back On Active Roster After Three-Interception Camp Against Los Angeles Rams

Barron went undrafted out of Syracuse in 2025 and signed with Dallas. In five seasons at Syracuse from 2020 through 2024, he started at wide receiver, moved to defensive back, and finished at linebacker.

As a rookie, Barron spent most of the year on the practice squad. Dallas elevated him Dec. 24, 2025. The next day, the Cowboys beat Washington 30-23 at Northwest Stadium. On Jan. 3, Dallas signed Barron to the active roster. He appeared in 2 games last season.

During an Aug. 11 joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams in Woodland Hills, California, Barron intercepted three passes. Dallas waived him at final cuts and signed him back to the practice squad.

Washington ruled out linebacker Frankie Luvu and tight end Chig Okonkwo on Friday. Both teams are 0-1. The Commanders lost 24-22 at the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1. The Cowboys have won eight of the last 10 meetings.

Kickoff at AT&T Stadium is 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX. Dallas plays the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 27.