Injury-Prone Linebacker Called Top 'Breakout Candidate' for Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys inside linebacker DeMarvion Overshown singled out as potential breakout player for 2026 season.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 12:15pm

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The Dallas Cowboys are hoping that injury-prone inside linebacker DeMarvion Overshown can stay healthy and become a breakout star in 2026. Overshown has shown promise when on the field, but has missed 32 out of 51 possible regular-season games due to injuries over his first three NFL seasons. Pro Football Focus named Overshown the Cowboys' top 'Breakout Candidate' for the upcoming season, but his ability to stay healthy will be crucial.

Why it matters

The Cowboys' defense struggled at times in recent seasons, and Overshown's return from injury could provide a big boost if he can stay on the field. The team has invested heavily in improving the defense, including trades for players like Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson, and Overshown's potential breakout would be a welcome development.

The details

Overshown, a 2023 draft pick, has dealt with a pair of serious knee injuries in his first three NFL seasons, missing 32 of a possible 51 regular-season games. However, he returned from a torn ACL in 2025 to play in 6 games, recording 28 tackles. Pro Football Focus believes that if Overshown can stay healthy, he has the potential to be one of the NFL's elite players at his position.

  • Overshown missed the entire 2024 season due to a torn ACL suffered in Week 14.
  • Overshown returned from the ACL injury to play in 6 games for the Cowboys in 2025.
  • Overshown will be entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2026.

The players

DeMarvion Overshown

An injury-prone inside linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys who has shown promise when healthy, but has missed significant time due to a pair of serious knee injuries in his first three NFL seasons.

Quinnen Williams

A defensive tackle acquired by the Cowboys via trade to help bolster their defense.

Logan Wilson

An inside linebacker acquired by the Cowboys via trade to help improve their defensive unit.

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What they’re saying

“Overshown returned from a devastating knee injury that ended his 2024 season to produce a respectable 67.4 PFF overall grade across 218 snaps in 2025. Dallas has now seen nearly 1,000 snaps of solid play from Overshown across his first two seasons. Dallas needs all the defensive help it can get, and the team should be able to rely on a healthy Overshown to improve the unit in 2026.”

— Dalton Wasserman (Pro Football Focus)

“The Cowboys have activated LB DeMarvion Overshown from the PUP list, ending his long road back. A potentially significant addition.”

— Ian Rapoport (NFL Network)

“Official: it's time. DeMarvion Overshown and Shavon Revel have both been activated from IR by the Cowboys. A long road back to the field for both, and Agent 0 has shown what he can be when healthy at the NFL level.”

— Patrik Walker (Cowboys.com)

What’s next

The Cowboys will be closely monitoring Overshown's health and performance during the 2026 preseason as they determine their defensive priorities for the upcoming draft, where they hold two first-round picks.

The takeaway

Overshown's ability to stay healthy and reach his potential as an elite linebacker will be crucial for the Cowboys' defense in 2026. If he can avoid the injuries that have plagued him so far, he could provide a major boost to a unit that has struggled at times in recent seasons.