It’s hard to find a more promising player on the Dallas Cowboys defense than third-year linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. Overshown, a 2023 third-round pick, has been quite the rising star since joining the Cowboys. Blessed with speed, explosiveness and game awareness, Overshown is a human highlight reel whenever he’s on the field. The only problem is he’s not regularly able to be on the field.
Injuries are as much a part of Overshown’s young career as his highlights. A pair of significant knee injuries have limited the 24-year-old to just 13 games through two seasons. Still recovering from offseason surgery, it’s a situation that promises to bleed well into the Cowboys’ 2025 campaign, requiring bridge players and contingency plans at the weakside linebacker (WILL) position early this season.
Overshown’s exact return date has yet to be determined but given the severity and timing of the injury, anything before Thanksgiving would be considered an optimistic estimate. As such, the Cowboys have had to operate as if they’re hunting for a true starter at WILL and not just a Band Aid to tread water.
DeMarvion Overshown said his recovery is nine months and when asked when he'll return from knee surgery said, "I'll be back playing football for sure in 2025 and it won't be in December it will be before that."
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) January 6, 2025
The Cowboys actively shopped the LB position throughout the offseason, adding veterans Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn and drafting Shemar James. It’s a bit of a mystery as to where each player will fit on the Dallas defense this season but it’s a safe bet new Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will test out a number of combinations.
One player who could indirectly dictate where the pieces fit is second-year player Marist Liufau. Liufau, a third-round draft pick out of Notre Dame, flashed brightly during his rookie season. Liufau was inconsistent but displayed special traits which can’t be taught. Like Overshown, he factors into the future at LB making his final landing spot somewhat clear.
Marist Liufau breakout season loading ⏳ pic.twitter.com/fRFwS861Rr
— SleeperCowboys (@SleeperCowboys) April 7, 2025
If Overshown is the future at WILL, then Liufau likely has to move to the middle (MIKE) at some point. With only two LB spots considered “starters,” there aren’t any other options left for Liufau. Granted the Cowboys could keep Liufau at WILL for another season while Overshown eases back. But with so much depth across the LB ranks it’s probably wiser to start the move to MIKE right now.
If Liufau moves to the middle, he’ll likely platoon with another player to share the workload. Sanborn, listed as the only MIKE on the roster, could be that player. This would leave Murray and the rookie (Shemar) James to duke it out at WILL.
Murray, a veteran, is physically gifted but lacks the film to look like an obvious solution. James is equally as troubling since he’s a Day 3 rookie who will be just lucky to crack a rotation in 2025. Even Damone Clark, the forgotten fourth-year LB, could step into the mix and serve as the bridge to Overshown this season. It really is an open competition heading into training camp.
Eberflus is considered a LB guru, so if anyone can find an optional solution for both the short and long term, it’s probably him. But Overshown is going to miss significant time in 2025 and finding a starting quality bridge player is imperative. Luckily for the Cowboys they have a handful of quality options to test out this summer.
