Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown has shown numerous flashes of his capabilities throughout his two seasons in the NFL. However, injuries have held him back from reaching his full potential since he entered the league.
Now, all the pressure rides on the 2026 season as he plays the final year of his rookie contract.
What Did Cowboys’ EVP Stephen Jones Say About DeMarvion Overshown?
The Cowboys drafted Overshown in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Before he made his NFL debut, the rookie tore his ACL during preseason. He missed the entire season and rehabbed to be ready for the 2024 season.
Overshown played in the Cowboys’ first 14 games in 2024 and started 13 of them. However, his season ended short again due to another torn ACL. Except this time, his MCL and PCL also tore. That injury knocked him out for the rest of the year and the first 10 games of last season. While the Cowboys’ high-powered offense finished sixth in PFSN’s Impact Rankings
In 2025, Overshown returned in Week 11 and played six games for the Cowboys until the cycle continued. The former Texas Longhorn went down in Week 16 and tore all three ligaments again.
Now, the Cowboys’ linebacker heads into the final year of his rookie contract in a make-or-break season, rehabbing from his torn ACL, MCL, and PCL.
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones on LB DeMarvion Overshown entering the final year of his rookie contract pic.twitter.com/AXFGUgsiPU
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) February 23, 2026
“I think the biggest thing is that, availability,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters. “Certainly, no one wants to play the game more than him. I can assure you of that. But, obviously, he needs to put together a full season, and if he does, I think it’s going to be a great season.
“Because I know how good he is and what he can do for us. I’m fired up about what he brings to the table. The only question mark he has is his injury issues he’s had and getting through a full year.”
As Jones mentioned, when Overshown has been on the field, he’s been extremely productive. The Cowboys linebacker recorded 90 tackles, 8 for loss, 5 sacks, and 5 quarterback hits in 2024. He added four passes defended, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a pick-six in just 13 games played.
Last season, Overshown had 28 tackles and one for loss in six games. The Cowboys signed Overshown to a four-year, $5.39 million rookie contract in 2023. It included a $920,020 signing bonus and $920,020 in guaranteed money.
He’ll earn a base salary of $1.485 million in 2026 with a cap hit of $1.705 million. Then, Overshown will be an unrestricted free agent in 2027. This is his season to prove what he’s worth following the expiration of his rookie contract.
