Overshown Progressing Ahead of Brazil

Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is "doing well in rehab" and "making progress" after a hamstring strain, coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday, keeping a narrow Week 3 window open for the Ravens game in Rio de Janeiro. Overshown missed Week 2 after the early hamstring hit, and Dallas already lost safety Malik Hooker to a fractured forearm while corner Cobie Durant (hamstring) and safety P.J. Locke (plantar fascia tear) were tagged for multiple weeks. On a defense getting thinner by the snap, Overshown's rehab tone is the first soft positive heading into Brazil week.

Schottenheimer would not crown a Ravens return. He stressed the short week and the international travel board. Overshown has to get through practice without a setback. SI's Josh Sanchez reported Tuesday that the next few days are the real test, and that a clean week could put Overshown back on the field Sunday. That is progress language, not a lock. Fans should hear it that way and wait for the Wednesday report before redrawing the front seven.

The companion damage still matters for anyone watching the secondary and second level together. Locke's full plantar tear sounded scary until Schottenheimer noted complete tears often calm after a rough first week. Durant's hamstring is a multi-week problem. Hooker's forearm is longer. Against Lamar Jackson in an international stadium, Dallas needs every healthy linebacker body it can find. Overshown is the one name with forward motion right now, and that alone changes the tone of Victory Monday after the Commanders win.

Jaishawn Barham and Dee Winters got cleaner day-after notes, which helps the second-level depth chart if Overshown needs another week. Elevations already patched Week 2. Week 3 in Brazil will ask for more from the next-man-up crew. So is the hope that Overshown's work with Britt Brown's rehab group turns into practice reps before the team flies south Thursday night on the long haul to Rio.

Track the practice participation closely this week. If Overshown is limited or out again, plan for life without him versus Baltimore. If he practices clean, the optimism finally has a body attached to it on a defense that cannot afford another empty jersey against Jackson this Sunday.

Brazil watch

Overshown progressing. Short week. Not ruled out, not cleared.

Practice participation is the only stamp that matters before Rio.

Fan closer

Wednesday's report decides the mood. Until then, call it progress, not a return.