The Dallas Cowboys have not seen their defense this shaky in years. It sits near the bottom (31st) in defensive EPA and defensive DVOA. Fans can blame the front office, the coaches, or the players, but the situation remains the same. But now, Brian Schottenheimer might finally get something to work with.

The Cowboys activated rookie cornerback Shavon Revel from the NFI list. And Schottenheimer already has a plan in mind. Before explaining it, he made one thing clear.

“A little bit like [DeMarvion Overshown], but probably even a little bit more, being smart. He’s going to play, we want him to play, and I think he’ll play well.”

After that, Schottenheimer detailed why he trusts the rookie.

“He is young, he is a rookie, he plays a very difficult position, but I just love the way that he shows up every day with a smile on his face. He works,” Schottenheimer said.

“A lot of times the workouts they’re doing with [director of rehabilitation Britt Brown] are harder than what we do on the practice field. We do that for a reason, because we want those guys coming back as soon as they can. But I don’t think it’ll be too big for [Shavon]. I think he’s looking forward to it, but we’ll be smart with how we use him.”

That confidence says plenty about the trust forming behind the scenes.

The 6-foot-2 and 202-pound corner came out of East Carolina with only 15 career starts. He is also returning from a long knee injury. So it makes sense if the Cowboys ease him into reps. Still, his size and speed might give Dallas a moldable piece they badly need.

Even Jerry Jones recently said Revel is going to “hit the ground running” this week. That is a bold line for someone who has never played an NFL snap. How fast that happens depends on Revel’s readiness and the Cowboys’ desperation.

However, Dallas’ injury situation is getting worse day by day.

Brian Schottenheimer juggling five active injury cases

Coming out of their bye, the Dallas Cowboys know the margin is tiny right now. Brian Schottenheimer activated linebacker DeMarvion Overshown from the PUP list. And then there is back Shavon Revel. Both could suit up on Monday against the Raiders. After Thursday’s updates, the picture around Cowboys Nation became a little clearer, but not calm.

Next came the biggest sign of progress. Overshown, who was limited before the bye, showed up as a full participant. His knee responded well, and that puts him firmly on track for Monday night.

Revel, dealing with a knee issue too, followed the same path. He was limited in the last official report but finished this week as a full participant. That shift gives Brian Schottenheimer more players at a time when he needs options.

Then, there were more moving pieces.

Malik Hooker, still battling a toe problem, got work in and was limited. The hope is that he comes off injured reserve soon, and his return would hit at the perfect moment. Donovan Wilson, fighting through elbow and shoulder issues, stayed limited as well.

Meanwhile, Solomon Thomas sat out with a calf injury and was listed as DNP. The list keeps growing, and so does the concern.

So these five players remain a real worry for Schottenheimer. The Cowboys need as many starters back as possible. Sitting at 3-5-1, they cannot survive more setbacks. They need help now, and they know it.