Five games into the season, the Cowboys are already close to the limit on a roster rule that governs how injured players come back.
Dallas has used six of its eight injured reserve designations that allow a player to return the same season, DallasCowboys.com reported Tuesday. Twelve regular-season games remain, and only two more of those spots are available.
Under league rules, a player designated to return must miss at least four games, and teams may use only two of the eight at final cutdowns. Before the opener, the Cowboys spent those two on rookie cornerback Devin Moore and Marist Liufau. Tyler Smith, the All-Pro guard, is already back; Jalen Thompson, P.J. Locke and Jonathan Bullard account for the other three, according to the team website.
Two more designations open up only if the Cowboys reach the playoffs, and those can be used only in the postseason.
The Overshown decision
The shortage may help explain one choice. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown injured his right hamstring late in the Sept. 13 opener against the New York Giants. He has sat out four games since, yet he was never moved off the 53-man roster. Team writer Patrik Walker suggested the club may have wanted to protect its IR slots, or may have expected Overshown back sooner.
Overshown worked with director of rehabilitation Britt Brown on Monday before joining individual linebacker drills. "Right now I'm feeling great," he said. "At this point, it's just how practice goes throughout the week." Coach Brian Schottenheimer called his status for Green Bay to be determined.
Overshown has been through far worse. He tore the ACL in his left knee in 2023, then three ligaments in his right knee in 2024. While he has been out, Jaishawn Barham, a rookie, has handled the middle linebacker job and worn the green-dot helmet that carries calls from the coordinator.
"He's a dog," Overshown said of Barham. The staff has not told Overshown where he will line up when he returns.
Cornerback Cobie Durant presents a similar question. Schottenheimer said Durant's rehab workload is increasing, and Walker wrote that Dallas could again end up carrying a player who is not ready rather than spending a designation.
Illness and hamstrings
Monday's practice, the first after three days off, added a different problem. Two cornerbacks, DaRon Bland and Caelen Carson, left sick, Schottenheimer said, according to Dallas Sports Journal. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. had missed Thursday's game after falling ill at the stadium, and receiver Jonathan Mingo was on the injury report before that game, the outlet noted. Schottenheimer said he was not worried about a bug going around the building.
Drew Shelton, an offensive tackle, and safety Alijah Clark sat out with hamstring injuries. Ameer Speed and Shavon Revel, also cornerbacks, were dealing with knee soreness that Schottenheimer said he was not worried about. His update left out two starters: receiver CeeDee Lamb, whose quad flared up again Thursday, and left tackle Tyler Guyton, who was due for additional tests on his back.
