The Dallas Cowboys saw their playoff hopes end with a win by the Philadelphia Eagles over the Washington Commanders in a rare Saturday night game in Week 16.
One day later, the Cowboys saw their hopes of just finishing with a winning record take a big hit as star linebacker DeMarvion Overshown was ruled out of the game with a concussion in the first half of a 34-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
“Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown is out with a concussion,” The Athletic’s Jon Machota wrote on Sunday, December 21.
Overshown had 26 tackles through his first 5 games in 2025 after returning from a knee injury suffered in Week 14 of the 2024 regular season. He missed his entire rookie season in 2023 after tearing his ACL in the preseason.
The concussion doesn’t bode well for the Cowboys’ next game — a short turnaround for Thursday Night Football against the Commanders.
“DeMarvion Overshown has been ruled out of the game with a concussion,” ESPN’s Todd Archer wrote on X. “Appeared hurt on the Chargers first drive while making a tackle. Cowboys play on Thursday so likely difficult for him to clear protocol in time to play at Washington.”
Cowboys Defense Got Big Boost From Overshown
The Cowboys’ went from one of the NFL’s worst to middle of the pack following the midseason return of Overshown and the addition of top flight defenders via trades with defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and fellow inside linebacker Logan Wilson.
Overshown returning was just as big of a lift as the addition of both of those players.
“The Cowboys have activated LB DeMarvion Overshown from the PUP list, ending his long road back,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account on Tuesday, November 11. “A potentially significant addition.”
Overshown switched jersey numbers from No. 13 to No. 0 this season as well.
“Official: it’s time,” Cowboys.com’s Patrik Walker wrote on his official X account. “DeMarvion Overshown and Shavon Revel have both been activated from IR by the Cowboys. A long road back to the field for both, and Agent 0 has shown what he can be when healthy at the NFL level.”
Overshown was in the middle of a breakout season in 2024 before his injury and through 13 games had 90 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 8 TFL, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 4 pass deflections and one interception returned for a touchdown.
NFL Insiders Still Hold Overshown in High Regard
Despite his injuries, Overshown landed on ESPN’s annual preseason list of the Top 10 players at every position at No. 8 on its list of the best inside linebackers.
“Overshown needed only 12 NFL games to convince a healthy number of voters that he’s a high-impact linebacker,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on July 15. “Multiple voters have serious concerns about whether Overshown can maintain a consistent NFL career because of the damage already done.”
Overshown, 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, moved from safety to linebacker at the University of Texas, where he earned All-Big 12 honors with a career high 96 tackles in 2022.
The Cowboys drafted Overshown in the third round (No. 90 overall) of the 2023 NFL draft after he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds at the NFL scouting combine. He signed a 4-year, $5.39 million rookie contract.
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