Cowboys' Malik Hooker Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 List Ahead of WFT Game

Rob Goldberg @@TheRobGoldbergFeatured Columnist IVDecember 23, 2021

Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (28) in coverage during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the New York Giants 21-6. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)

AP Photo/Steve Luciano

The Dallas Cowboys have placed safety Malik Hooker on the reserve/COVID-19 list, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

If he's vaccinated, the 25-year-old would have to test negative twice in order to be eligible to play in Sunday's game against the Washington Football Team.

Hooker has appeared in 13 games this season, starting two, appearing in 41 percent of defensive snaps for the Cowboys, per Pro Football Reference.

The safety tallied his first interception of the year in Sunday's 21-6 win over the New York Giants.

Rob Phillips @robphillips3
Malik Hooker had the defense’s highest PFF grade Sunday (90.6), followed by DeMarcus Lawrence (90.2).<br><br>In 32 snaps, Hooker tied for second on the team with 6 tackles, plus a pass breakup and his first interception as a Cowboy.

"Malik (Hooker) is ascending," head coach Mike McCarthy said Monday. "…I think you're seeing him come into his own. … I thought he had his best game."

Hooker spent four years with the Indianapolis Colts before signing with Dallas in the offseason, looking to rebound from the Achilles injury that cost him all but two games in 2020.

Though he appeared on track in Week 15, the Cowboys might now have to replace his production.

Darian Thompson could see more action for Dallas behind starters Jayron Kearse and Damontae Kazee.

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