The Dallas Cowboys can’t really rely on inside linebacker DeMarvion Overshown at this point.
For all of the potential Overshown has shown when he’s healthy, the defining metric for his career through the first 3 seasons has been the time he’s missed due to injuries — he’s missed 32 out of a possible 51 regular-season games.
Even through a pair of catastrophic knee injuries in 2023 and 2024, Overshown still looks like he could be one of the NFL’s elite players at his position. If he can stay healthy, Pro Football Focus singled him out as the “Breakout Candidate” for the Cowboys in 2026. That’s a huge “IF” in this case.
Overshown returned from a torn ACL suffered in Week 14 of the 2024 regular season to play 6 games in 2025. He also missed one game due to a concussion after his return, although that was after Dallas was already eliminated from the postseason.
Overshown finished the season with 28 tackles and will be in the final season of his 4-year, $5.39 million rookie contract in 2026.
“Overshown returned from a devastating knee injury that ended his 2024 season to produce a respectable 67.4 PFF overall grade across 218 snaps in 2025,” PFF’s Dalton Wasserman wrote. “Dallas has now seen nearly 1,000 snaps of solid play from Overshown across his first two seasons. Dallas needs all the defensive help it can get, and the team should be able to rely on a healthy Overshown to improve the unit in 2026.”
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.”
Hard to Gauge Cowboys’ Offseason Priorities
Other than the interior defensive line, it’s hard to figure out what the Cowboys should prioritize on defense this offseason. Their offense seems pretty much set aside from wide receiver George Pickens‘ contract status.
The Cowboys have 2 first round picks in the 2026 NFL draft and there’s a good chance both of those picks could be used on defensive players.
In his first 2026 mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. predicted the Cowboys will take Ohio State inside linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 12 overall and Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor at No. 2o overall.
“Styles is a former safety, and it’s no surprise once you see his speed,” Kiper wrote. “He can close on ball carriers and pass catchers in a flash. With 174 tackles over the past two seasons, he’s a top-10 prospect for me.”
Injury-Prone Linebacker Called Top ‘Breakout Candidate’ for Cowboys