The Cowboys defense has been under fire for most of the 2026 season, showing little significant improvement over the historically bad units fielded in recent years under coordinators Mike Zimmer and Matt Eberflus. Despite a near-total change on the coaching side of things under new DC Christian Parker, the Dallas defense has been victimized early and often through six games, in large part due to missing personnel.
With a hugely important divisional game on tap Monday night in Philadelphia, though, the Cowboys look to be getting some key players back in the mix.
Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who went down during the team's season opener with a hamstring injury, practiced in full on Thursday after missing five straight games and has been medically cleared to take the field against the Eagles.
"I'm excited," the fourth-year man said per the team website. "I've definitely taken this rehab, this recovery, very serious. I've been trying to get back on the field since the week after I got out. Getting this opportunity to go this week, I'm thankful that I'm still able to get to do what I love."
The hamstring was just the latest lower-body injury for Overshown. The 26-year-old has appeared in just 20 of the Cowboys' 57 regular-season games since he joined the team in 2023.
Cowboys are opening the IR window for OLB Marist Liufau.
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) October 22, 2026
Cobie Durant and DeMarvion Overshown are expected to practice today.
“We’re getting healthier.”
According to Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News, Overshown was so excited to be back at work that he took out edge rusher Malachi Lawrence during one of his first drills.
Whether Overshown takes back the green-dot playcalling duties, which had been assumed by rookie Jaishawn Barham in his absence, remains to be seen. He'll likely fill the spot just vacated by Dee Winters, who is dealing with an Achilles strain sustained during Sunday night's loss to Green Bay.
Also back at practice- though limited- on Thursday was cornerback Cobie Durant. The five-year veteran, in his first season with the Cowboys, suffered a hamstring injury of his own in Week 2's win over Washington and has been sidelined since. His return to the lineup would be a big boost for a Dallas secondary that ranks in the league's bottom 10 in passing yards allowed, passing touchdowns surrendered, yards per attempt, yards per catch, opposing passer rating, and interceptions.
Finally, linebacker Marist Liufau had his 21-day practice window opened on Thursday. The third-year Notre Dame product had a strong showing in training camp but suffered a fractured forearm in the Cowboys' preseason finale. The team will give Liufau some time to ramp up before declaring him active, but the clock has started, and his return should come at some point over the next three weeks.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys' defensive reinforcements coming: Overshown, Durant, Liufau back at practice