The Dallas Cowboys are bracing for a challenging start to the 2025 NFL season.
Executive Vice President Stephen Jones has indicated that key defensive players CB Trevon Diggs and linebacker LB DeMarvion Overshown are expected to miss significant time due to ongoing rehabilitation from injuries.
Diggs’ and Overshown’s recoveries from knee surgery will likely sideline them until after training camp, potentially impacting the team’s defensive performance early in the season.
Diggs’ Dilemma
Trevon Diggs, a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ secondary, has been a standout performer since being drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
In his first four seasons, Diggs amassed 215 tackles, one sack, 63 passes defended, and 20 interceptions, including a league-leading 11 interceptions in 2021, which earned him first-team All-Pro honors.
However, Diggs’ recent injury history has been concerning.
He tore his ACL before Week 3 of the 2023 season, limiting him to just two games that year. In the 2024 season, Diggs managed to play in 11 games, recording 42 tackles and two interceptions, before being sidelined again due to a cartilage issue in his knee.
Stephen Jones commented on the situation:
Unfortunately, he [has] a new injury that has to do with cartilage. It’s certainly a very legitimate injury that’s gonna take him some time to recover from… I don’t think he’ll be a player during training camp.
Pausing the Show
Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, a promising talent for the Cowboys, has also been plagued by injuries that have hindered his ability to contribute consistently on the field.
While specific details about Overshown’s injury and recovery timeline have been less publicized, it is understood that his rehabilitation process will likely extend into the regular season, further impacting the Cowboys’ defensive lineup.
Overshown showed traits of an emerging superstar in the Cowboys’ defense in 2024, displaying surprising pass rush prowess and sideline to sideline tackling ability.
In 13 games played, the Texas product amassed 90 tackles, 8 TFL, 5.0 sacks, and an interception returned for a touchdown.
A Defensive Challenge
The absence of both Diggs and Overshown poses significant challenges for the Cowboys’ defense.
Diggs’ ability to disrupt opposing offenses with interceptions and pass deflections has been a critical component of the team’s defensive strategy.
Without his presence, the secondary may struggle against high-caliber receivers, potentially leading to increased vulnerability in pass coverage.
Similarly, Overshown’s absence weakens the linebacker corps, affecting the team’s ability to defend against both the run and pass effectively.
Linebackers play a pivotal role in DC Matt Eberflus’ defensive schemes, and losing a player of Overshown’s caliber necessitates adjustments and reliance on less experienced personnel.
In light of these injuries, the Cowboys’ coaching staff will need to make strategic adjustments to compensate for the loss of key players. This may involve altering defensive schemes, increasing reliance on backups, and potentially exploring free-agent options to bolster the roster.
The depth of the roster will be tested, as players who were previously in supporting roles will be called upon to step up.
If the started today, DaRon Bland and Caelen Carson are the most likely players to guard the boundary, while someone will have to step up as Nickel cornerback. Josh Butler comes to mind.
The development and performance of these players during the offseason and preseason will be crucial in determining the defense’s effectiveness in the early part of the season.
Preparing for a Rough Start
Beyond the immediate impact on the field, the injuries to Diggs and Overshown have harder implications for the Cowboys’ season aspirations.
Starting the season off on the right foot sets the tone for the remainder of the year, and a weakened defense could result in more scoring than we’d like from opposing offenses.
If the Cowboys aren’t able to stay ahead of their record early in 2025, Cowboys Nation might not have the patience to see the team recover later in the season.