Malik Hooker - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Cowboys and defensive star Quinnen Williams agree on $105.9 million extension

The Dallas Cowboys and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams have agreed on a $105.9 million, three-year extension going into his first full season with the team

AUGUST 10 • Associated Press

Communication is critical for coordinator Christian Parker to turn around Cowboys' defense

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker's attempt to improve one of the NFL's worst units start with communication

AUGUST 8 • Associated Press

Malik Hooker a Surprise Absence at Dallas Cowboys Practice The Dallas Cowboys ruled out multiple players for their latest training camp practice.

AUGUST 8 • SI.COM

Malik Hooker all but confirms Cowboys found something 'special' in Caleb Downs Even team veterans know the Dallas Cowboys drafted one of the rarest talents in the 2026 NFL Draft in Caleb Downs.

AUGUST 8 • THELANDRYHAT.COM

Cowboys rookie defensive back Caleb Downs is living up to expectations while learning two spots

Expectations are high for Dallas Cowboys rookie defensive back Caleb Downs, the No. 11 overall draft pick who is being counted on to help overhaul their defense

AUGUST 7 • Associated Press

Malik Hooker on rejuvenated defense; Caleb Downs is 'special' Malik Hooker is thriving in the new-look Cowboys' defense, and he can't say enough great things about fellow Buckeye Caleb Downs.

AUGUST 6 • DALLASCOWBOYS.COM

Cleared for training camp Hooker is all set to suit up for training camp, Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Hooker was the starting free safety during Wednesday's first-team reps. The defensive back has cleansed himself of the back issue that plagued him throughout minicamp and is all set to resume normal practice activities as training camp gets underway.

JULY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to start minicamp Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Tuesday that Hooker (back) will be limited during the Cowboys' minicamp, Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Impact Hooker was able to play in all of Dallas' last eight games to finish the 2025 season, but he's apparently dealing with a back issue as minicamp kicks off. Until he's back to full strength, free agent acquisition P.J. Locke could see increased practice reps with the first-team defense.

JUNE 16 • ROTOWIRE

Cowboys get Ohio State's Downs and UCF's Lawrence in NFL draft after moving twice in 1st round

The Dallas Cowboys went defense with both of their first-round picks in the NFL draft

APRIL 24 • Associated Press

Cowboys' top salary cap casualty is painfully obvious (and it's not Kenny Clark) The Athletic has named safety Malik Hooker as a potential salary cap cut for the Dallas Cowboys.

FEBRUARY 18 • THELANDRYHAT.COM

Lackluster season for Dallas Hooker recorded 52 tackles (28 solo) with one pass defended over 12 games for the Cowboys in 2025.

Impact The veteran missed five games early in the season due to a toe injury and played through back trouble late, and his numbers suffered as a result. Hooker struggled in coverage and may not be able to hold up as a physical in-the-box safety, leaving some question of where he might fit even in a depth role. He has one year left on his current contract at $6.5 million, but the Cowboys would incur just a $2 million dead cap hit if they elect to move on from Hooker this offseason under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

JANUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

What's Next? Cowboys are extremely unstable at safety Donovan Wilson is set to hit free agency and Malik Hooker is entering a contract year, and those are only two of several concerns for the Co...

JANUARY 27 • DALLASCOWBOYS.COM

All set for TNF Hooker (back) is active for Thursday night's contest against Detroit.

Impact Hooker was limited at practice all week with a back injury, but he'll now officially be able to give it a go in Week 14. The safety has also been nursing a pair of toe and thigh injuries over the last few weeks, but he's expected to start opposite of Donovan Wilson versus the Lions.

DECEMBER 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown active for Thursday night game and Cowboys' Jadeveon Clowney held out

Amon-Ra St. Brown is active for the Detroit Lions against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night

DECEMBER 5, 2025 • Associated Press

Lions and Cowboys need a win in Thursday night matchup to improve position in NFL playoff picture

The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are the top two teams in the hunt for an NFC wild card and are still holding on to hopes to compete for division championships

DECEMBER 3, 2025 • Associated Press

Could play Thursday night Hooker (back) is listed as questionable ahead of Thursday night's matchup against the Lions, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Hooker practiced in a limited capacity all week after likely sustaining a back injury in the Week 13 win over the Chiefs, but he's still got a chance to play Thursday. The veteran safety has appeared in just seven games this season, recording 29 total tackles and one pass defensed. If active in Week 14, Hooker is expected to start opposite Donovan Wilson in the Cowboys' secondary.

DECEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Quinnen Williams won't say it, but there's no denying his impact on the Dallas defense

Quinnen Williams disregards the notion that the standout defensive tackle’s arrival in a trade is the best explanation for a dramatic turnaround by the defense of the Dallas Cowboy...

DECEMBER 2, 2025 • Associated Press

Now dealing with back issue Hooker was limited in practice Monday due to a back injury, Clarence Hill Jr. of AllDLLS.com reports.

Impact Hooker has dealt with a toe issue almost all season, but that injury isn't noted on Monday's injury report. Instead, the veteran safety is deemed to have a back issue. Hooker's ability to log a limited session may mean that he's not dealing with a major injury, but he could enter Thursday with a designation if he's not able to practice in full over the next two days.

DECEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Hangin' With The 'Boys: When Coaching Matters Was defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus ever really the problem? Or did he just not have the right players to run his system? Well, drop in...

DECEMBER 1, 2025 • DALLASCOWBOYS.COM

Ready for Thursday Hooker (toe/thigh) has no injury designation ahead of Thursday's matchup against the Cowboys, Clarence Hill Jr. of AllDLLS.com reports.

Impact The 29-year-old upgraded from a limited practice session Tuesday to a full go Wednesday, suggesting he's moved past his injuries in time to play Thursday. Hooker has appeared in just six games this season, recording 28 total tackles and one pass defensed. Now fully healthy, he's expected to operate as Dallas' top free safety in Week 13.

NOVEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to open week Hooker (toe/thigh) was a limited participant during Monday's walkthrough practice, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Impact Hooker continues to play through a toe injury that caused him to miss the Cowboys' five games prior to the Week 10 bye, but he also appears to be dealing with a thigh issue that he likely picked up during Sunday's 24-21 overtime win over the Eagles. He will have two more chances to log a full practice and avoid an injury tag ahead of Thursday's game against Kansas City. In the two games since his return, Hooker has accumulated eight tackles (four solo) and one pass defense.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go for Week 12 Hooker (toe/personal) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Eagles, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

Impact Hooker ended up getting in a full practice Friday after logging a DNP on Thursday. After returning to the lineup from injured reserve last Monday night, Hooker should be ready to roll against Philly after playing 73 percent of the defensive snaps last Monday night against Las Vegas.

NOVEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Absent due to personal matter Hooker (toe) did not participate in practice Thursday due to a personal matter, Clarence Hill Jr. of AllDLLS.com reports.

Impact The safety was limited Wednesday with the toe injury, but since his absence Thursday was not injury related, he can perhaps be considered on track to play Sunday if he returns to the team. Dallas has another practice Friday. Hooker was activated from injured reserve for Monday's win over the Raiders, in which he logged 44 defensive snaps.

NOVEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to open week Hooker (toe) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Impact Hooker was activated from injured reserve ahead of Monday's game against the Raiders, when he logged three solo tackles and a pass defense during the Cowboys' 33-16 win. He missed the five prior games while on IR due to a toe injury, and he'll have his practice reps limited to avoid aggravating the issue. Hooker will have two more opportunities to increase his practice participation ahead of Sunday's game against Philadelphia.

NOVEMBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cowboys will try to keep winning for Marshawn Kneeland as they say 'why not us?' on playoff run

The Dallas Cowboys won a game for Marshawn Kneeland

NOVEMBER 18, 2025 • Associated Press

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