Multiple Cowboys shed tears over ‘serious’ knee injury to LB DeMarvion Overshown
Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown was having a breakout season.
After having his 2023 rookie season taken from him after he tore his left ACL he in the preseason, Overshown arrived at training camp ahead of the 2024 season with built-up angst and emotion about finally getting his NFL opportunity.
In 13 games, Overshown shined bright. After accounting for 90 total tackles, an electric pick-six on Thanksgiving Day and sacking the quarterback five times, he saw it all flash in front of him on a routine play in the fourth quarter on Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.
On a rushing attempt by Bengals running back Chase Brown, Overshown saw his right leg get wrapped under Bengals center Ted Karras away from the play. Overshown immediately hit the turf and didn’t come back up. The Dallas medical staff came to his assistance and helped him walk very gingerly off the field and straight into the locker room.
While there wasn’t an immediate diagnosis, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that the injury was “of serious nature” before more in-depth imaging is done on Tuesday.
“I cried, that’s like my little bro,” defensive end Micah Parsons said as his voice cracked with emotion postgame. “He don’t deserve that. He really don’t…He’s been through so much. It’s not fair to him.”
Veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks, who was acquired over the offseason and has seen Overshown on the field next to him, also showed emotion while discussing the injury.
“It hurts,” Kendricks said. “It can’t really be explained, especially when you’re on the field and one of your guys goes down like that. It’s crazy, because oftentimes we get so numb to injuries and things like that.”
“He really started to become that elite linebacker last couple of games. He grew a lot. He’s a freak, he’s a thug too. If I know anything about him, I know he’s going to be back and be better than ever.”
Cornerback Jourdan Lewis suffered a serious foot injury late in the 2022 season that threatened his career and required multiple surgeries. For someone who knows the road Overshown has ahead of him, Lewis plans to put his arms around the Cowboys’ rising star.
“We’re praying for him,” Lewis said. “We understand what he’s going through. We’re going to stick with him because he’s a heck of a football player. Keeping him encouraged, that’s the main thing right now. We’re going to support him.”
Aside from his stellar play on the field, Overshown has drawn rave reviews for his bright spirit that he brings to the locker room. His presence off the field has been as much of an impact as he is between the lines, according to his teammates.
“He’s such a special player and a special guy,” offensive lineman Tyler Smith said. “It just breaks my heart to see that. He motivates me, the way he plays, how hard he plays. The way he plays is contagious. I’m praying that he comes back healthy and stronger than ever.”
“He’s an amazing young guy and a dynamic player,” Jourdan Lewis said. “You don’t get that too often where the guy is as good as the football player. He’s going to be missed and I’m hurting for him.”
