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DaRon Bland, Malik Hooker injury update: Latest revealed on Cowboys defenders on Thursday report

by: Alex Byington9 hours ago_AlexByington
malik hooker
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys defensive secondary added another absence to its Thursday injury report following practice, listing safety Juanyeh Thomas with a did-not-practice designation due to a personal matter, according to The Athletic’s Jon Machota.

Meanwhile, starting cornerback DaRon Bland is still not practicing after suffering a foot injury during Monday’s practice, while safety Malik Hooker remains a limited participant at practice for the second straight day while dealing with his own foot ailment.

According to Todd Archer of ESPN, Bland suffered a foot injury at practice on Monday and is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks. The injury was first revealed on Wednesday when the Cowboys announced Bland did not practice.

“It’s obviously unfortunate for him,” Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus said, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. “He’ll be working with the medical staff. No timetable for his return.”

Bland was one of the five Cowboys defenders who played in all 63 snaps last Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 26-year-old recorded three tackles in the Cowboys’ 24-20 loss.

In 2024, Bland played in seven games and recorded 41 tackles and five passes defended. He was coming off a 2023 season, where he tallied 69 tackles, 15 passes defended, nine interceptions and an NFL record five picks returned for touchdowns.

Hooker is also working through a foot injury but played all 62 defensive snaps for the Cowboys in last Thursday’s season-opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to CBS Sports. Of course, given his limited participation Wednesday and Thursday, it should bode well for his availability Sunday against the New York Giants (1 pm ET, FOX).

More on Cowboys CB DaRon Bland

At the end of August, Bland signed a four-year, $92 million contract extension with the Cowboys. It made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.

“Kind of surprised, kind of a little bit dumbfounded,” Bland said of his reaction to the news, per Tommy Yarrish of DallasCowboys.com. “Couldn’t believe it, that I’m making that much and doing what I do.”

The Cowboys selected Bland in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He joined the team after spending the 2021 season at Fresno State and notched two interceptions and five passes defended in 13 games.

After signing his contract, Bland talked about how he became and top defender for the Cowboys. It was clear Bland was embracing his role.

“Being patient and learning to grow, having that mindset that where I was at that point was not the end point, so just keep driving each day, take it day by day,” Bland said. “Not many fifth-rounders get the opportunities that I had and be in this league and be able to do what I do, and I’m just thankful for the opportunity to keep being out here.”

— On3’s Brian Jones contributed to this report.