The Dallas Cowboys find themselves at a crossroads as they prepare for a significant matchup against the Detroit Lions this Sunday. With a storied history of developing standout linebackers like Sean Lee and Leighton Vander Esch, the pressure is on the young talents of the current squad to step up amid injury woes.
Dallas is coming off a hard-fought victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but their defensive depth has been severely tested. With veteran middle linebacker Eric Kendricks ruled out due to a shoulder injury, and backup Nick Vigil also questionable for the game, the spotlight now shines brightly on Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown, and Marist Liufau—all poised to potentially start.
Overshown, a third-round pick, made a splash in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. After some challenging outings against the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens, he regained his confidence in Weeks 4 and 5, currently ranking second on the team with 37 tackles. He also played every defensive snap against the Steelers last week, showcasing his importance to the Cowboys’ defense.
After making his first tackle on the night, Demarvion Overshown got some love from the SNF broadcast
“He is one of the more exciting young Dallas Cowboys players out here”#HookEm | #Texas pic.twitter.com/EeUb93SQdG
— Cory Mose (@Cory_Mose) October 7, 2024
Liufau, a rookie, has earned praise from defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer for his work ethic and quick learning of the defensive scheme, leading to more playing time than anticipated. Meanwhile, Clark, who shined in training camp, will look to capitalize on any opportunity if Vigil is unable to play, as he has not seen significant snaps in recent weeks.
Facing the Lions is no easy task, particularly with their potent rushing attack. Detroit averages 151.3 yards per game, ranking seventh in the NFL, and boasts a rushing success rate of 50.4 percent—the fourth-best in the league. The dynamic duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs has proven effective, with both players averaging over four yards per carry this season.
The Cowboys’ run defense has shown improvement in recent weeks, limiting the Steelers to just 92 rushing yards, a sign of progress after struggling early in the season. Overshown highlighted the importance of discipline and teamwork in practice as key factors for success. “It’s about paying attention to detail and everybody doing their one-eleventh,” he said.
As the Cowboys prepare for this daunting challenge against the Lions, the performance of their young linebackers will be crucial. If Clark, Overshown, and Liufau can effectively contain the Lions’ rushing attack, it will not only boost their confidence but also reinforce the front office’s successful history of drafting impact players at linebacker. The future of this position looks promising as they aim to make their mark on Sunday.
