Michael Irvin to DeMarvion: Cowboys' Overshown 'To Share Testimony' of Rehab

Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown "can't wait to show" his talents after he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered against the Seattle Seahawks Saturday.

Legendary Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin suffered a nasty knee injury in 1989 that caused him to miss 357 days in between games.

That was in Irvin's second season in the NFL, and after that from 1991-95, the Pro Football Hall of Famer caught at least 78 passes, 1,200 yards and six touchdowns in each season. 

Irvin was not hampered by his knee injury - and owner Jerry Jones and the Cowboys believe that he set a new standard for passionate rehab - and Cowboys rookie linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is being instructed to take inspiration from that and maintaining a positive attitude in his recovery from a torn ACL.

"Michael Irvin had a bad knee injury and he talked about how that helped the rest of his career, that moment happening now," Overshown said, adding that he plans to accept Dallas' urging to confer with Irvin and looks forward to "where I get to talk to Michael about it.

"I'm looking forward to this. This is nothing new to me. I respect the grind. I got a taste of what it feels like to be a pro. I'm ready to attack this recovery and be back."

At first, the injury looked like a typical football play.

Overshown continued to display his athletic gifts that he's shown all training camp and led him to be Dallas' 2023 third-round pick, covering ground from his linebacker position to tackle Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet.

However, when Overshown planted his left leg into the ground on Charbonnet's cut-back attempt, the Longhorns product tore his ACL which will end his season. Overshown isn't sure the exact date yet, but said he's having surgery soon.

Overshown didn't believe the injury was as serious as it was when it initially happened.

"I thought they were just giving me a free ride to the locker room," Overshown said. "They didn't want me to walk, so I thought I was going to come back out, just jogging, having one of those moments."

After the diagnosis came back, Overshown received outpouring support from Mike McCarthy and from his college head coach, Texas Longhorns' Steve Sarkisian.

"It's a real bummer. I hate it for him," Sarkisian said Monday. "He is actually in really good spirits. I talked to him yesterday before his MRI, and he reached back out afterward."

Overshown said the injury is "just another bump in the road" and he is "ready to share my testimony after I come back from this." He said the mindset you carry into the road to recovery is important.

His mindset has shifted from being an in-game contributor to cheering on his teammates from the sidelines and "bringing the juice."

The Arp, Texas, native said he's blessed "to be able to rock this star everywhere" he goes.

Overshown said he thought his first training camp went well.

"I get to look at it as something I get to build off of now, having this time to take care of my body and get right and really learn the game," Overshown said. "I definitely feel like I went out there and done what I wanted to do, but it's still a lot more that I know I'm capable of and I can't wait to show you guys."

---

Follow Casey Smith on Twitter @casey_smith2419

COWBOYS FISH REPORT … now a podcast! Join us inside The Star, ANY TIME!

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Cowboys?

Follow FishSports on Twitter

Follow Cowboys / Fish on Facebook

Subscribe to the Cowboys Fish Report on YouTube for constant daily Cowboys live reports!