The Dallas Cowboys filled a dire need when they signed linebacker Eric Kendricks, but the linebacker room is still a cause for concern. With no Leighton Vander Esch, the Cowboys are left with Damone Clark, who didn’t progress in year two as fans hoped he would after a promising year one, and DeMarvion Overshown, who tore his ACL in August amid a promising preseason.
There’s also the versatile Markquese Bell, who provided a spark to the linebacker room last season. However, his lack of size was exposed down the stretch, including in the wild card loss. Bell could get looks at safety and linebacker in Mike Zimmer’s scheme, but the experiment as a full-time LB is likely over.
Given how many linebackers the Cowboys have hosted at The Star, it seems they plan on taking a LB early in the draft. Even if they go that route, Overshown could be the X-factor as far as determining the group’s ceiling.
Overshown has attacked his ACL rehab with a killer mindset. The returns speak for themselves, as the 2023 third-round pick breezed through an agility drill that required sharp cuts on his surgically-repaired left knee.
#Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown is “stacking days” on his way back to the field 🤟
(🎥: @AGENT0__ on IG) pic.twitter.com/qrCpS35wfs
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) April 4, 2024
Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown looks jacked and healthy after ACL injury
Overshown is moving really well given he suffered the injury less than eight months ago. Every athlete heals differently, but the general recovery timeline for ACLs now is between 8-10 months. Based on this video, it seems Overshown is on track to avoid the PUP list when training camp gets underway in late July.
If there was any silver lining to Overshown’s rookie year being wiped out, it was that the timing of the injury gave him ample time to be ready for the start of 2024.
Prior to getting back on the practice field, Overshown was busy grinding in the weight room while his knee healed up. In a recent video posted to Instagram, the former Longhorn showed off his physique with the caption “Been in the lab.” He looks diced up and ready to bring a physical element to the linebacker room that the Cowboys sorely missed last season.
#Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown has been busy working in the lab 🧪
After being sidelined by injury during his rookie season, this second-year player has the potential for a breakout campaign, based on what he showed in the preseason 🤟
(🎥: @AGENT0__ on IG) pic.twitter.com/l81bj81G51
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) March 22, 2024
Overshown has kept a fantastic mindset from the moment he was diagnosed with a torn ACL. It’s clear the Cowboys got a gem in the Tyler, TX native. Fans should still temper expectations for Overshown given the severity of his injury, but it’s hard not to get excited by these clips.