THE GAME. THE STORIES. THE WHY.
Independent football coverage●Our standards
whynfl
EXPLOREPower rankingsLeague leadersTeam statsInjuriesTransactionsShortsRivalriesRecordsTV scheduleBye weeksEVENTSSuper BowlPro BowlCombineDraftPlayoffsWeb StoriesALL FOOTBALL. ALL IN.
WEEK 6
  1. Thu 8:15 pmSEADEN
  2. Sun 9:30 amHOUJAX
  3. Sun 1:00 pmNONYG
  4. Sun 1:00 pmCHIATL
  5. Sun 1:00 pmPITTB
  6. Sun 1:00 pmNYJNE
  7. Sun 1:00 pmTENIND
  8. Sun 1:00 pmBALCLE
  9. Sun 1:00 pmCARPHI
  10. Sun 4:05 pmARILAR
  11. Sun 4:25 pmBUFLV
  12. Sun 4:25 pmLACKC
  13. Sun 8:20 pmDALGB
  14. Mon 8:15 pmWASSF
Find your next read

Search whynfl

Go deeper on the game you love.
News

Cowboys are down to two IR return slots as DeMarvion Overshown and Cobie Durant sit again

2 min read Comments
Share ↗
WhatsApp Facebook X
Saved articles

Your reading list is saved on this browser.

Your reaction

Dallas has used six of its eight designated-to-return spots in five games. The hamstring injuries that kept Overshown and Durant out on Wednesday show why the last two matter.

w.
WhyNFL Sports DeskPublished
Dallas Cowboys players and cheerleaders pose with U.S. Navy leaders at a Salute to Service event
Cowboys players, including DeMarvion Overshown (far left), at a Salute to Service visit to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth on October 8, 2024 (file photo). Photo: A1C Connor Dunne / Air National Guard, public domain. Resized.

Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and cornerback Cobie Durant, both with hamstring injuries, did not practice Wednesday as the Dallas Cowboys started work for Sunday night’s game at Green Bay. Both also missed last Thursday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Overshown said earlier in the week that he hoped to return against the Packers, and he did some individual work, but he still got a non-participant designation, the club noted. Neither player has gone on injured reserve, and the reason may come down to math.

Six of eight already used

Each club gets eight designated-to-return spots on injured reserve per season. A player who uses one must miss at least four games, and a player placed on injured reserve without the designation is out for the year. Patrik Walker pointed out this week that Dallas has already used six through five games:

  • Linebacker Marist Liufau and rookie cornerback Devin Moore, at final cutdowns (the league allows two there).
  • Guard Tyler Smith, who was activated before the Buccaneers game and practiced fully on Wednesday.
  • Safety Jalen Thompson, safety P.J. Locke and defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard. Thompson and Bullard moves.

That leaves two for the final 12 games. Teams that reach the playoffs get two more, but only for the postseason. Walker suggested this could explain why the Cowboys kept Overshown on the 53-man roster while he recovered. Putting him on injured reserve would cost at least four games and one of the last two slots. The same choice could come up with Durant if he cannot play Sunday.

The rest of Wednesday’s report

Cornerback Ameer Speed (knee) and rookie tackle Drew Shelton (hamstring) also did not practice, and Von Miller had a veteran rest day. Joey Porter Jr. (ankle) was limited. CeeDee Lamb (thigh), Tyler Guyton (back) and Smith (thumb) were full participants. Full Cowboys report.

Cornerbacks DaRon Bland and Caelen Carson missed Monday’s practice with an illness that has gone through the secondary. Neither was on Wednesday’s report.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer also spoke Wednesday and repeated his backing of defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Parker and the booth.

The 2-3 Cowboys play the 3-2 Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday, October 18, at 8:20 p.m. EDT. Micah Parsons will not play against his former team. Parsons story.

The why matters.

See something that needs a second look? Read our corrections policy.

Join the conversation

Use a name or stay anonymous. No account or email required. Comments are reviewed before appearing.

Up to 3,000 characters

No published comments yet. Start the conversation.