Week 2 in the preseason did not go as planned, and the Cowboys might need to make some adjustments as a result. The Dallas Cowboys injuries seemed to keep coming. Aside from a handful of good and ugly plays in the 14-22 loss, Dallas lost two of their promising rookies to unfortunate circumstances.
DeMarvion Overshown and John Stephens Jr. both ruptured an ACL in the preseason game, ending their seasons immediately. Here is how Dallas will fill in for each of their respective spots on the team.
Dallas Cowboys Injury Update: Two Promising Rookies Done For the Season
DeMarvion Overshown
The third-round draft choice from the University of Texas began turning heads quickly after landing in Dallas. His Week 1 preseason matchup saw him stuff the run and defend the pass rather effectively. His upside is through the roof, and his playstyle is reminiscent of Mark Barron. He suffered a left ACL tear on an awkward landing in the second week of preseason.
Overshown has remained in good spirits, despite the crushing news that he will not play another snap until 2024.
Few other NFL linebackers play sideline to sideline the way Overshown did in college. Jabril Cox is the most likely to fill in for Overshown while he recovers. Cox has battled with knee injuries in his career respectively, so he will be able to assist Overshown in his injury rehabilitation. Look for Leighton Vander-Esch to lock down the weakside and Cox the other.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Demarvion Overshown’s injury will blemish the secondary depth, but Cox should be able to hold his own.
John Stephens Jr.
Stephens has been turning heads as an undrafted rookie in a very talented Dallas Cowboys offense. The former Horned Frog was used as a gadget player against Jacksonville, and consistently fought for extra yardage. His confidence was climbing after switching from wide reciever to tight end in camp.
Unfortunately, the injury bug was swarming in Seattle. Stephens ruptured his left ACL and will miss the entire 2023 NFL season as a result.
Stephens was going to have an uphill battle to hit the turf during the 2023 regular season, but anything could have happened. While he will sit out the entire season, he has time to learn from the likes of CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Jake Ferguson. Look for any of those names to fill the gadget-style role player Stephens had in preseason.
While the injury is tragic for his production, Stephens will remain a Dallas Cowboy and get another shot next season.
The Dallas Cowboys got bit by the Injury bug several times in Saturday’s loss to the Seahawks. The injuries to DeMarvion Overshown and John Stephens Jr. will reduce their overall production, and they’ll never be rookies on the field again. However, they are in the hands of excellent doctors, and will both make a strong return when healthy.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
