Cowboys Safety P.J. Locke Sustained Foot Injury
Dallas Cowboys safety P.J. Locke left the game after suffering a foot injury during the first half.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Football
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Dallas Cowboys safety P.J. Locke sustained a foot injury during a contest against Washington on September 20, 2026. The injury occurred after the defensive back appeared for only three snaps.
Why it matters
The secondary unit faces additional personnel challenges as P.J. Locke joins Malik Hooker on the list of defensive players sidelined with injuries. Markquese Bell has stepped into the lineup to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the matchup.
P.J. Locke played 3 snaps before departing with 8:48 remaining in the first half. The Cowboys maintain a 10-0 lead with contributors including CeeDee Lamb, who has 5 catches for 89 yards, and Dak Prescott, who is 8-of-11 for 101 yards.
The players
P.J. Locke
He is a safety for the Dallas Cowboys who exited the game early due to a foot injury.
Markquese Bell
He is a defensive player for the Dallas Cowboys who moved into the lineup following the injury to P.J. Locke.
Malik Hooker
He is a Dallas Cowboys safety who is currently unable to play due to a fractured forearm.
CeeDee Lamb
He is a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys who recorded 89 yards and a touchdown in the game.
Dak Prescott
He is the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys who completed 8 of 11 passing attempts.
The details
P.J. Locke suffered the injury during a non-contact play while tracking Rachaad White, leading to an examination in the medical tent before he retreated to the X-ray room. Markquese Bell has replaced him in the defensive rotation as the team continues to manage the existing absence of Malik Hooker, who is currently out with a fractured forearm.
Timeline
September 20, 2026: P.J. Locke sustained a foot injury.
8:48 remaining in the first half: The injury occurred during the defensive series.
Season Trajectory
The injury to P.J. Locke complicates the defensive rotation for the Dallas Cowboys during a critical stretch of the 2026 regular season. This development forces the coaching staff to rely on depth pieces like Markquese Bell while attempting to maintain the team's defensive standing.
Markquese Bell is now the primary beneficiary in the defensive rotation, impacting fantasy defensive depth charts. The Cowboys maintain a 10-0 lead, with the current status of P.J. Locke listed as questionable to return for the remainder of the game.
The takeaway
Sudden injuries to key starters force coaching staffs to adjust defensive schemes in real-time during game play. Fans and analysts should monitor post-game injury reports for updates on the severity of the foot issue and potential impact on future roster availability.
Further reading
For more updates on the roster, visit Football.
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