For DeMarvion Overshown and Marshawn Kneeland, big opportunity — and pressure — awaits

OXNARD, Calif. — One ligament has become all the chatter of the Dallas Cowboys’ defense through the early part of training camp.

This offseason, the Cowboys’ front office constantly raised the bar for linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, their 2023 third-round pick who tore his ACL in a preseason game last year after a strong showing in camp. They said Overshown would be the difference-making addition fans craved as the Cowboys slept-walked through free agency. He would be a major part of the solution to the ailing run defense and overall issues on the depth chart at linebacker.

Overshown has enjoyed a solid start to training camp. The 23-year-old’s athleticism hasn’t missed a beat — neither has his attitude.

“He has great energy,” Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said. “He’s had that since the day he walked in here. His light is bright. He has an infectious personality. Everything he does is full speed and you obviously (saw) it at the University of Texas. He was everywhere; the way he played, his play style.

“Watching him go through the rehab process, the way he attacked that. Love his personality, love his approach and it’s great to continue to bring him back the way we are.”

Last year, speaking a couple of days after the devastating injury, Overshown was notably upbeat. Instead of struggling with what happened, he was excited about what was to come.

Now, it’s here.

“A year ago, I told everybody that I was going to be able to share my testimony once I got back out here,” Overshown said. “Going through that every day, really living that and preaching that, now I’m able to show that hard work, with the guys that love you and support you, you can get back to what you’re doing.”

Externally, expectations regarding Overshown have been a balancing act all year. There’s the special ability he showed throughout an extended period in camp last year, to the point where former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn had specific packages catering to the linebacker. But there’s also the reality that Overshown is returning from a major injury and has never played against NFL competition in the regular season.

“No pressure at all,” Overshown said. “They drafted me where they drafted me for a reason. I already had that chip on my shoulder that I want to be another guy on that defense, not just a guy, but I want to be another guy out there making plays. I’m putting that all on me. They want me to take my time, come back when I’m ready, but I’m expecting big things out of myself.”

The Cowboys are expecting big things, too, especially after a season in which the deficiencies at linebacker were exposed against the run as they turned to players who played other positions to fill in at linebacker. Adding Eric Kendricks in free agency was a big move, given his talent and knowledge of new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s defense. Damone Clark should be better with another year under his belt, and Micah Parsons’ increased involvement is always a boost.

But Overshown is the big “addition” and the guy who’s expected to be the face of the group in the future.

While Overshown has helped conquer the ACL demons of the Cowboys’ defense (along with cornerback Trevon Diggs, who came off the PUP list Tuesday), the dreadful injury took another victim in the early parts of practice Sunday. Defensive end Sam Williams took a seemingly routine step during special teams drills when he let out an audible yell. As he lay on the turf in visible pain, and as he was carted off minutes later, the bad news felt inevitable. It was confirmed later in the day when an MRI revealed a torn ACL for Williams and the end of his 2024 season.

Jerry Jones and Dak Prescott check in on Sam Williams as he’s carted off. Non-contact, did not look good. pic.twitter.com/J0C7tvAY6w

— Saad Yousuf (@SaadYousuf126) July 28, 2024

“That’s a really tough break, especially for him,” McCarthy said. “He was clearly going to be a primary contributor, as we all felt. I thought he had an excellent offseason. He did the extra (work) over the summer. I was able to see him do some work in person. It’s unfortunate when these things happen.”

The Cowboys’ defense is littered with talent, but much of it is top-heavy. The margin of error is small given the lack of depth at most positions, including defensive end. With the offseason departures of Dante Fowler and Dorance Armstrong, Williams was primed to have a huge opportunity. Not only was Williams going to be a major part of the Cowboys’ defense but his expected emergence opposite DeMarcus Lawrence was going to allow Zimmer to get creative in his usage of Parsons as an edge rusher and off-ball linebacker.

Now, that role — and pressure — falls on rookie Marshawn Kneeland.

“Definitely, (the mentality) changes a little bit, whether you see it or not,” Kneeland said of a mentality shift following Williams’ injury. “With (Williams) here, obviously, I was still playing a good amount but now, it’s that much more reps I have to take. I just got to step it up a notch.”

Kneeland was drafted in the second round to eventually be a significant part of the rotation. That timeline has been expedited. Williams’ injury is a tough blow for the defense, but it should not be the type of void that derails the entire operation.

Parsons is still there. Lawrence is, too. So is Osa Odighizuwa, and Overshown, and Kendricks.

Kneeland’s job will be to step in and take advantage of favorable matchups that present themselves as opposing offenses key in on the talent around him. If Kneeland makes a quick, successful jump to the NFL, perhaps things open up more for Parsons, as the plan has been so far in camp. If Kneeland falters, Parsons may be required to mostly play the role he has in recent years at defensive end. If that’s the case, Overshown’s play at linebacker will be even more important.

With a change at defensive coordinator, the Cowboys’ defense was always going to be a fluid situation for a while with learning curves and growing pains that extend into the season. One thing certain is decisions that Zimmer makes in how to use his personnel will take Overshown and Kneeland strongly into consideration.

(Top photo of DeMarvion Overshown: Brandon Sloter / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)