A pair of Dallas Cowboys rookies will miss the 2023-24 season after sustaining injuries in Saturday’s 22-14 preseason loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
MRIs conducted on Sunday confirmed that third-round linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and undrafted rookie tight end John Stephens Jr. each tore ACLs during the game, multiple reports say.
“You never want to see any of your guys get hurt, and that’s what’s so tough about these games,” head coach Mike McCarthy told the media postgame. “We had a couple young guys go down, so you just say your prayers, and hopefully, everything points in the right direction.”
Overshown was injured in the first quarter as he kept Seahawks’ rookie running back Zach Charbonnet from making a cutback and brought him down along the sideline. Overshown initially showed no reaction but remained on the ground, grabbing his knee after struggling to get up. He was eventually shown walking off the field under his own power and carted to the locker room.
Stephens was injured trying to make a block in the third quarter, as he got tripped by nearby blockers while he attempted to reach the second level and block a linebacker running free.
Overshown had impressed coaches and teammates throughout the offseason and seemed poised to take on a significant role as a rookie. He could even be seen leading and encouraging the team ahead of its preseason opener against Jacksonville on August 12.
“He was climbing the charts,” McCarthy said of Overshown after Saturday’s loss. “He showed up right away in the offseason program. You could see it when we got to Oxnard, just his ability to fly around. He really has an excellent command for a young linebacker.”
The University of Texas alum made nine tackles in the preseason, including three before his exit on Saturday.
Stephens, a former college receiver at Louisiana, was transitioning to tight end and competing for a roster spot at a crowded yet unproven position on the Cowboys’ roster.
The Cowboys (0-2) play their final preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-0) at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium.
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Extra Points
— Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is expected to make his New York Jets debut in the team’s preseason finale against the Giants on Saturday. The Jets acquired Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers in the offseason.
— Chicago Bears offensive lineman Teven Jenkins is expected to be out for a while with a leg injury.
— Former SMU standout and current San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Danny Gray suffered a shoulder injury in the team’s preseason game over the weekend.
— Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is expected to return to practice this week.
— The Baltimore Ravens enter Monday’s preseason matchup with the Washington Commanders with a 24-game preseason winning streak.
— Miami Dolphins rookie running back Devon Achane (Texas A&M) is week-to-week after injuring his shoulder.
— Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Myles Jack has retired. Jack gained popularity as a two-way player at UCLA and began his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016.