Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is expected to undergo major knee surgery.
Overshown injured his knee against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football. He had to be helped off the field by training staff.
During a press conference Tuesday, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that the 24-year-old needs major surgery on his right knee.
“DeMarvion’s getting ready to have a big surgery in front of him, there’s a significant knee injury,” said McCarthy. “We’re definitely going to miss him, but he’s got a long road to rehab in front of him, so he'll obviously be loved and supported every step of the way.”
McCarthy also said that it’s possible that Overshown’s injury was severe enough that he could miss the entire 2025 season as he recovers. “I think that’s fair because of the time of year,” said McCarthy. “So, yes…You have the surgery, and the rehab is a long process. But I think that’s very realistic.”
Overshown’s teammates expressed sympathy and support for him in postgame interviews.
“I cried,” linebacker Micah Parsons said. “It’s like my little bro, bro. He doesn’t deserve that either. He really don’t.”
Jourdan Lewis said the team understands what he’s going through.
“We’re praying for him because a lot of us, honestly, we’ve been injured,” cornerback Lewis said. “We’re going to stay with him because we know he’s a heck of a football player.”
With just under 13 minutes left to play in the fourth quarter, Overshown took on a block from Bengals guard Alex Cappa. While struggling against Cappa, Overshown was hit in the leg by center Ted Karras, who was falling to the ground. His leg was pinned to the ground by a pile of players, including Karras, Cowboys defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa, and Bengals guard Cordell Volson.
Drafted by the Cowboys
The Cowboys drafted Overshown in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but he tore the ACL in his left leg during a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks and missed his entire rookie season.He returned to the team in 2024 and immediately became a leader on the Cowboys’ defense. Through 13 games, he totaled 90 tackles, good for second on the team; he also racked up five sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, four passes defended, and an interception which he returned for a touchdown.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones also sympathized with Overshown’s injury.
“I just can’t tell you how bad I feel for him because he’s just been through that,” Jones said in an interview with local sports talk radio station 105.3 The Fan Tuesday.
“The mental and the physical rehab on his other knee, and then to turn around and have to go through that again, it’s gonna call on him in a lot of ways. It’s the toughest time for a player.”
Overshown posted positive messages on social media. “With New Goals comes New Obstacles,” he wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. “I believe in pushing myself to the limits and never stop chasing what’s meant for me.
“I woke up this morning. That’s the only motivation I needed I’ll be back.”
