With nothing to gain and everything to lose it would make perfect sense if the Cowboys sat DeMarvion Overshown for the rest of the year
When Micah Parsons was shipped off to Green Bay prior to the season, DeMarvion Overshown arguably became the Dallas Cowboys’ top defensive playmaker. The third-year linebacker out of Texas was the highlight of the 2024 campaign. He was a splash play machine, notching up sacks, stops and tackles for loss on a weekly basis, dominating in both phases of the game.
A late season knee injury derailed his breakout season, landing him on IR and delaying his 2025 debut, but the film was out there, and it was clear Dallas had an exciting new playmaker on their hands. Since returning in 2025, Overshown has looked like a player trying to regain form. He’s easily been one of the Cowboys’ top defenders but still needed to put more distance between gameday and his season-ending knee injury from last season.
In Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Overshown was knocked out early with a concussion. Playing on the short week, it’s unlikely he’ll clear protocol before the Commanders game on Christmas Day. The earliest fans can realistically expect to see Overshown is in the Week 18 finale against the Giants. And at that point, what’s the point?
With nothing to play for the Cowboys would be wise to put their top playmaker on ice for the rest of the season. It isn’t worth re-injuring his knee or falling to another concussion. Chances of reoccurrence are increased for both so this is the perfect opportunity to pull the plug and head into the offseason with something to build on rather than something to recover from.
Depending on what system is in place on defense next year, Overshown could be one of Dallas’ top pressure players once again. Current defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus didn’t seem to like Overshown as a pressure player much, preferring instead to use him in traditional off-ball roles. But if 2024 taught us anything, it’s that Overshown is at his most impactful used as a situational pass rusher.
One would think nine more months of recovery and a new aggressive defense to play in could easily catapult Overshown into a top pressure player in 2026. It’s time to think about the future and with Overshown likely to be out until the last week of the season already, it might be in the future’s best interests to keep this top playmaker on ice.
You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!