Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is making progress from a hamstring strain, but coach Brian Schottenheimer said Wednesday there is a low probability the starter will play Sunday when the Cowboys face the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro.
The update landed as Dallas prepared to leave Texas on Thursday night for the league’s first regular-season game at Maracanã Stadium. Both clubs are 1-1. Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. Central on CBS, with Dallas listed as the home team.
Overshown was the injured defender who entered the week with the best chance to return. That outlook faded after Wednesday’s remarks from Schottenheimer.
Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys’ official website reported that Schottenheimer said Cobie Durant (hamstring) will start on field rehab today. S P.J. Locke (foot) is out of a walking boot and progressing. LB DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) is “making good progress,” but there’s “low probability” he plays on Sunday.
Overshown strained the hamstring late in the Sept. 13 opener at the New York Giants. He finished with seven tackles on 51 snaps before leaving in the fourth quarter. Dallas ruled him out for last week’s 37-20 home win over Washington.
The fourth-year linebacker from Texas posted 90 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks and a pick-six in 13 games during his most productive season in 2024. A multi-ligament knee injury limited him to six games last year, when he recorded 28 tackles. He is 26 and in a contract year.
Rookie Jaishawn Barham, a third-round pick from Michigan, has taken Overshown’s middle linebacker snaps and the green-dot communicator role. Barham had seven tackles and a forced fumble against Washington.
Schottenheimer praised the 22-year-old’s grasp of the defense.
“This guy’s really smart, really bright. He understands schemes and concepts. I don’t know how many rookie linebackers have worn the green dot within their first two career games,” he said.
The secondary is thinner than the linebacker room. Durant left the Commanders game with a hamstring strain and is expected to miss a few weeks. Locke tore the plantar fascia in his right foot on Washington’s opening drive and also is expected to sit multiple weeks. Neither has been placed on injured reserve.
Safety Malik Hooker fractured his forearm in the Giants game and had surgery two days later. He has not practiced this week and remains out. Markquese Bell has filled in at safety. Second-year corner Shavon Revel Jr. has taken Durant’s snaps after allowing one catch for 19 yards on 20 plays last Sunday.
The injuries have shown up most against the run. Opponents have rushed for 347 yards in two games, 173.5 per contest at 5.0 yards per carry, with 22 rushing first downs. That ranks near the bottom of the NFL. The Giants gained 165 yards on the ground. Washington added 182.
Baltimore presents a harder test. The Ravens have rushed for 310 yards through two weeks, 155 per game, and have 20 rushing first downs. Linebackers will have to account for Derrick Henry between the tackles and Lamar Jackson when he keeps the ball.
Dallas practiced at The Star through midweek and is scheduled to depart about 8 p.m. Thursday. The team is due to land Friday morning, practice at Flamengo, hold a Saturday walkthrough at the stadium and play Sunday before flying home that night.
None of the four injured starters is currently described as a long-term loss. Overshown and Hooker were originally given one- to two-week windows after Week 1. Durant and Locke are in a similar two-to-four-week range, according to team officials, unless the club later uses injured reserve.
Even so, Dallas will almost certainly be short-handed in Brazil. Overshown remains the closest of the four to returning, and Schottenheimer still put his chances for Sunday in the low range.
