The Dallas Cowboys have shown a level of resiliency this season that we haven’t seen in years — mainly thanks to a high flying offense led by quarterback and NFL Most Valuable Player candidate Dak Prescott.
After evening out their record at 3-3-1 with a 40-22 win over the Washington Commanders in Week 7, and buoyed by the return of NFL All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, the biggest question for the Cowboys moving forward seems to be if they can find a way to improve their much maligned defense.
To that end, help could be on the way in the form of inside linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who has been out since he tore the ACL, PCL and MCL in his right knee against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14 of the 2024 regular season.
It was the second consecutive season Overshown suffered a season ending knee injury after he tore his ACL during a preseason game in 2023. That injury cost him his entire rookie year.
“The 21-day practice window for Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown (knee) will begin Wednesday, per source,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on his official X account on October 20.
Overshown seemed to acknowledge as much, posting “T-21” on his official X account around the same time as Fowler’s post.
Overshown Targeted Thanksgiving Game for Return
When Overshown has been on the field, he’s been downright dominant.
Through his first 13 NFL games in 2024, Overshown was doing a little bit of everything with 90 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 8 TFL, 4 pass deflections, 5 QB hits, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception return for a touchdown.
In May, Overshown told The Dallas Morning News he could rejoin the Cowboys in Week 13 for their Thanksgiving Day game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
However farfetched that may have seemed at the time, it now seems like it could very well be in play. Overshown has been on injured reserve the first 7 weeks of the regular season. The 21-day practice window gives teams a chance to evaluate how an injured player looks after they’ve been cleared for football activity.
“It’s definitely realistic,” Overshown told The DMN’s Calvin Watkins on May 29. “I’m pretty sure that game is Week 13 … it’s hard to speak on. I’m thinking doing it the smart way, maybe start (training camp) on PUP, maybe not, if I’m feeling great. I’m going to let Britt, the magic man, do the work. I’m just going to come up here grind like I’m playing tomorrow. So best believe, I’m working as if I’m suiting up tomorrow.”
Defense Could Get Massive Boost From Overshown
Even if Overshown isn’t quite back to 100 percent, getting him back could mean the world to a defense looking for any kind of spark right now.
Despite his injury, Overshown was put among the Top 10 inside linebackers in the NFL in ESPN’s annual preseason position rankings.
“Overshown needed only 12 NFL games to convince a healthy number of voters that he’s a high-impact linebacker,” 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.”
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