HEADLINES

Jabril Cox

Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown Suffers Torn ACL

August 20th, 2023 at 3:10pm CST by Rory Parks

3:10pm: Gehlken reports that Overshown has indeed torn his ACL (Twitter link). The news confirms the worst-case scenario, and that he will miss his entire rookie campaign. Overshown will now turn his attention to rehab ahead of an attempt to replicate his impressive showings next offseason, while the Cowboys may now find themselves on the market for a depth LB addition in the near future. Undrafted rookie tight end John Stephens also tore his ACL last night, per Gehlken.

8:28am: The Cowboys fear that third-round rookie linebacker DeMarvion Overshown tore his ACL during last night’s preseason loss to the Seahawks, per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). The club will know the full extent of the damage after an MRI.

Overshown suffered the injury while making an open-field tackle of Seattle running back Zach Charbonnet during the first quarter of the game. An ACL tear, of course, would force him to miss the entirety of his first professional season, which would be an especially difficult blow given that he appeared ticketed for a significant role right out of the gate.

On paper, Dallas’ linebacking corps is the weakest part of its defense, so there was plenty of opportunity for Overshown to establish himself as at least a key rotational player and special teams contributor. He had put together an impressive training camp and was seen as an ascending talent.

“He was climbing. He was climbing the charts,” head coach Mike McCarthy said of Overshown after the game (Twitter link via Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram). “He showed up right away in the offseason program, just his ability to fly around. Really has excellent command. So just hopeful. See how tomorrow goes.”

Leighton Vander Esch, who re-upped with the Cowboys on a two-year, $11MM contract in March, will likely operate as Dallas’ starter at middle linebacker (despite some recent run as an edge defender). Lining up next to him will be recent Day 3 draft choices Damone Clark (fifth round, 2022), Devin Harper (sixth round, 2022), and Jabril Cox (fourth round, 2021), all of whom will see an uptick in playing time if Overshown is indeed out for the year.

“You never want to see any of your guys get hurt, that’s what’s so tough about these preseason games,” McCarthy added (via Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News). “We had a couple of young guys go down, you say your prayers and hopefully the imaging points in the right direction. He’s had an incredible camp, we’ve talked about him almost every other day. I just hope he’s OK.”

Overshown, a Texas product, received First Team All-Big 12 acclaim following his final season with the Longhorns, a season in which he compiled 96 tackles (10 TFL), four sacks, and five passes defensed.

Cowboys Preparing To Move LB Damone Clark Into Starting Role

June 21st, 2023 at 12:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

With Micah Parsons having become primarily an edge rusher — though, the team is not ready to label its star sack artist a pure defensive end yet — the Cowboys have needed to make adjustments at their off-ball linebacker positions. Last year, a chunk of the playing time went to veteran Anthony Barr. But the longtime Viking is no longer on the team.

Although he arrived in Dallas late in the summer, Barr played 609 defensive snaps last season and started 10 games. The Cowboys have some big-ticket payments to authorize going forward, having deals for CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs on the radar. Parsons is not yet extension-eligible, but by the time he is, the All-Pro talent will almost definitely be in the running for a defender-record contract. As such, the team is keeping its linebacker payments low.

Dallas re-signed Leighton Vander Esch this offseason, greenlighting a raise — a two-year, $11MM deal — to keep the former first-round pick away from other suitors. The Steelers and Texans showed interest. While Vander Esch has extensive staring experience, the Cowboys are planning an in-house promotion for the three-down linebacking role alongside the sixth-year defender. Damone Clark is firmly on track to work as the Cowboys’ No. 2 linebacker, Jon Machota of The Athletic notes (subscription required).

The Cowboys used a fifth-round pick on Clark last year, doing so despite the LSU product coming off spinal fusion surgery. Clark was not expected to play much last season, but he suited up for 10 games and made five starts. Clark played 398 defensive snaps, making 47 tackles and forcing two fumbles. Dallas confined Clark to a special teams-only role during its two playoff games, however. Pro Football Focus viewed Clark’s rookie season as a promising one, slotting him 38th among off-ball ‘backers. Clark’s rookie deal runs through 2025, giving the Cowboys an opportunity to deploy low-cost option as a long-term starter on their defensive second level.

The Cowboys have notable backups at this spot as well, having used a third-round pick on DeMarvion Overshown. They also have 2021 fourth-rounder Jabril Cox on their roster. Cox sustained a torn ACL as a rookie and has only played 45 career snaps on defense, but Machota adds the team is anticipating its other LSU linebacker product will be better two seasons removed from the knee setback. The Cowboys chose Overshown 90th overall out of Texas.

Anthony Barr On Cowboys’ Radar

July 28th, 2022 at 12:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Anthony Barr has gone through a quiet offseason. Nearly five months after his Vikings contract expired, the eight-year Minnesota starter remains a free agent. The former UCLA pass rusher may have a landing spot in Dallas, however.

Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said Barr remains on the team’s radar, despite the defending NFC East champions having begun their training campa already. Jabril Cox‘s health looks to pertain to the team’s course of action with Barr, via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Cox suffered a torn ACL midway through his rookie season, but the Cowboys have been impressed enough with the LSU product’s recovery they did not place him on the active/PUP list to begin camp. Dallas rookie linebacker Damone Clark, however, is not expected to play until at least late this season. The fifth-round pick underwent spinal fusion surgery in March. Cox could push the recently re-signed Leighton Vander Esch for a starting spot, per Hill.

The team also, of course, has Defensive Rookie of the Year Micah Parsons at the position. Parsons is expected to continue as a hybrid performer, aiding the Cowboys’ pass rush. That would make for an interesting fit alongside Barr, a college pass rusher who has been used sporadically in that capacity as a pro (17.5 career sacks) as well. The Cowboys also signed former third-round pick Malik Jefferson earlier this month.

Jones’ comments, however, come after the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins indicated (via Twitter) Barr was no longer in the team’s plans. Barr, 30, has not been connected to any other teams this offseason. The four-time Pro Bowler has also missed time due to injuries in each of the past two years, going down with a torn pectoral muscle in September 2020 — an injury that led to a 2021 pay cut — and missing six games last season. A knee injury led to a four-game absence to start last year. The former top-10 pick finished the year with 72 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/2/21

November 2nd, 2021 at 8:47pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Los Angeles Rams

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Football Team

Torn ACL For Cowboys’ Jabril Cox

November 1st, 2021 at 3:05pm CST by Zachary Links

The season is over for Cowboys linebacker Jabril Cox. The rookie will miss the rest of the year with a torn ACL, as Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News tweets.

[RELATED: Cowboys Activate Joseph From IR]

Cox, a fourth-round pick, began his collegiate career North Dakota State before transferring, choosing LSU over Alabama and other top-tier programs. In his lone year with the Tigers, Cox notched 58 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

He’s mostly played as a special teamer through the first half of his rookie campaign, but he also offers quality coverage ability for an outside linebacker. In time, his athleticism could translate to consistent pressure off of the edge. But, in the near-term, he’ll have to focus on his rehab program with an eye on 2022.

The Cowboys are 6-1 following yesterday’s win over the Vikings. Next up, a Sunday afternoon showdown with the Broncos.

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/20/21

May 20th, 2021 at 3:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the 2021 draftees to sign their rookie contracts Thursday:

Arizona Cardinals

Dallas Cowboys

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jabril Cox To Hold Pro Day

April 14th, 2021 at 8:40pm CST by Rory Parks

LSU linebacker Jabril Cox will hold a Pro Day on April 26 — just three days before this year’s draft — as his agent, Andy Ross, tweeted. Cox was unable to work out with his teammates at LSU’s Pro Day in March due to a hamstring injury.

Cox is widely seen as a Day 2 talent. His biggest selling point is his versatility, which will make him attractive to any number of clubs. He can line up as an outside linebacker in either a 4-3 or a 3-4 scheme, and his rare combination of size and speed allows him to excel in coverage. He is not as polished against the run, but that coverage ability is one of the first things talent evaluators looks for when studying modern-day ‘backers. His speed and burst also give him some upside as a pass rusher.

Cox began his collegiate career with FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, and he did so well there that, when he graduated and entered the transfer portal, Alabama and LSU both went after him. In his one year with the Tigers, he tallied 58 tackles (6.5 TFL) and three interceptions, including a pick-six. The Butkus Award semifinalist is also lauded for his leadership abilities and character.

The Rams, the Washington Football Team, and the Patriots are among the clubs that could have interest.