Cowboys’ DeMarvion Overshown practices for first time since knee injury in 2024
It was just under a year ago when Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown tore his right ACL, PCL and LCL in a freak accident that happened away from a play when Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras rolled onto his leg.
It had the potential to be a devastating injury for Overshown, as it was the second major knee injury he would have to overcome in as many years in the NFL after he tore his ACL in his rookie preseason.
Potential, yes. Reality, not with Overshown.
Known around the facility as an upbeat presence who always has a smile on his face, injured or not, Overshown attacked his second major rehab with just as much enthusiasm as the first. Even though it will be well within reason to question why, he saw it as a blessing — somehow.
“I can wake up and wish I could do this every day of my life,” Overshown said. “Just being able to go through things like this. Everybody not blessed to be in this position. When I get the chance to just be here in this facility, the Cowboys facility, I’m blessed. A million people would do anything just to be in my position. I come here, do my job, get ready for the next day. Just keep pushing forward.”
On Wednesday, Overshown returned to the practice field for the first time since collapsing to the turf at AT&T Stadium. He put the pads on for the first time since, and he even spent time wrapping his ankles with pink breast cancer awareness tape. While he was mainly just going through the motions on his first day back, it was a long-awaited return to the field.
“It’s a blessing just to be out there,” he said. “Been watching for 300-plus days now. So when you get a guy like me that football is more than just a game to you, it’s a way of life, you play with a passion and that energy. When you’re able to do it again, you never take it for granted.”
While the Cowboys’ defense is coming off its best performance of the season in a 44-22 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, the overall picture of that side of the ball has been messy through seven weeks.
With Overshown’s return looming, some have pinned him as the be-all savior of that side of the ball. While he does hear that noise, he is focused on bringing his product to the field, whatever that looks like and whatever success it brings along with it.
“When I get in between those lines, the sky’s the limit for me,” he said. “I’m not saying that to be cocky or anything, but I know what I bring to the field. Hearing the things and seeing like, ‘Oh, we need D-Mo to be this when he comes back,’ or ‘We need D-Mo to do this,’ I ain’t worried about. I know what I bring to the table. I know what y’all saw last year and I know y’all are going to get more of that.”
The current timeline for Overshown has him on pace to return for the Cowboys’ Monday night matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 17.
“I’m excited for it,” he said. “It’s not going to be anything short of extraordinary. I’m ready to show truly how blessed I am. A lot of people claim that this knee injury is one of the worst of the worst and not too many people come back the same afterward. I’m ready to put that to the test.”
This story was originally published October 22, 2025 at 5:13 PM.
