Cowboys' Malik Hooker: Activated off COVID-19 list
Rotowire
Hooker (illness) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Hooker tested positive for the virus and was sidelined for the Cowboys' Week 16 blowout win over Washington. However, the fifth-year safety is expected to return to his rotational role during Dallas' Week 17 meeting with the Cardinals. Hooker has played at least 15 defensive snaps in every game he has been active this season.
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Cowboys' Malik Hooker: Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list
Rotowire
Hooker (illness) tested positive for the coronavirus Thursday and was moved to the reserve/COVID-19 list, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Hooker is vaccinated, so he'll still have an outside shot of being available for Sunday's game against Washington if he's deemed asymptomatic of the virus. The fifth-year safety has appeared in 13 games for Dallas this season, tallying 38 tackles and one interception.
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Cowboys' Malik Hooker: Big performance in Sunday's win
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Hooker recorded six tackles (five solo) and an interception in Sunday's win over the Giants.
The Dallas defense held New York to just two field goals on the afternoon thanks in part to four turnovers, including Hooker's first INT of the year. The former Colt was also one off the team lead in tackles for the game, and he needs just 14 more over the final three games to establish a new career high for a season in that category. Hooker isn't one of the biggest names in the Cowboys' secondary, but he's emerging as a key cog down the stretch.
The Cowboys activated Hooker (undisclosed) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.
Hooker was sent to the COVID list Monday, but he's now eligible to return to practice immediately Friday. The 25-year-old safety is expected to handle a key defensive role during Sept. 9's regular-season opener in Tampa Bay.
Hooker was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Hooker was one of three Dallas players added to the league's COVID-19 protocols, along with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and fellow safety Israel Mukuamu. The Cowboys are hoping to get all three back prior to the Sept. 9 season opener in Tampa Bay.
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Cowboys' Malik Hooker: Back at full practice
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Hooker (Achilles) took part in Monday's padded practice and made an interception on a tipped pass, DallasCowboys.com reports.
The safety seems close to being fully recovered from the Achilles injury that limited him to two games with the Colts last season. If Hooker keeps flashing for the remainder of training camp and in the last couple preseason games, he could push his way into a starting role.
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Cowboys' Malik Hooker: Dons pads Wednesday
Rotowire
Hooker (Achilles) did some individual work in pads Wednesday as he gets closer to practicing with the Cowboys, Rob Phillips of DallasCowboys.com reports. "Getting better. He's getting close," head coach Mike McCarthy said.
The safety missed 14 games last season due to a torn Achilles, but the Cowboys still signed him this offseason in the hopes Hooker can provide some depth in the secondary. Per COO Stephen Jones, the 25-year-old could join his new team at practice as soon as next week.
Hooker (Achilles) signed a contract with the Cowboys on Tuesday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.
Hooker's spot on the 90-man roster was opened up by Dallas placing Mitch Hyatt (knee) on injured reserve. The 25-year-old safety is working his way back from an Achilles injury suffered Week 2 last season, but the Cowboys appear to be satisfied with his recovery progress. If fully healthy, Hooker could have a clear path to joining Donovan Wilson as a starting safety.
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Malik Hooker: Expected to sign with Dallas
Rotowire
Hooker (Achilles) is expected to sign with the Cowboys once he clears the league's COVID-19 protocols for a visiting free agent, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
The 25-year-old safety was a first-round pick of the Colts in 2017, but Hooker has battled injuries throughout his career and only played two games in 2020 after tearing his Achilles tendon Week 2. Assuming his medicals check out to the Cowboys' satisfaction, he would join a secondary that is looking to replace a lot of snaps from last year, so a healthy Hooker could have a fairly clear path to a starting job alongside Donovan Wilson.
