Angry Is Fine, Now Be Clean: Overshown Is Cleared, Winters Is Out, and Schottenheimer Wants Pickens Moved Around in Philadelphia

By Jake "Star" Whitfield, RF Sports Radio Cowboys voice

Cowboys Nation, the head coach is mad. Good. I would be worried if he was not. But anger is a feeling, not a game plan, and the week between Lambeau and Lincoln Financial Field is about turning it into something cleaner on Monday night.

The facts

On Monday, Brian Schottenheimer was asked whether he wants an angry team or a measured one after a 2-4 start. "I always like guys that are angry," he said, per DallasCowboys.com. "I have a little of both. I'd say right now I'm pretty pissed off." Of his players: "I think they're pissed off too. We're ready for a win." He also explained why the offense has scored a combined 29 points the last two weeks: "We've put ourselves behind in games. The last two games we've been playing second half catch up," which he said affects rushing attempts and how often teams can blitz.

The biggest news came Tuesday. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown told DallasCowboys.com he has been medically cleared and will play Monday night against the Eagles. He has been out since hurting his hamstring in the season opener against the Giants, and the team expects him to be on a pitch count. He returns at weakside linebacker next to rookie Jaishawn Barham, who has kept the green-dot helmet. "We play on Monday, so now I've got to wait an extra day, but I'm excited," Overshown said.

The injury list cuts both ways. Schottenheimer said Dee Winters (Achilles strain) will likely miss the game, and KaVontae Turpin (rib cartilage) is week to week and unlikely to play, per The Dallas Morning News. Cornerback Cobie Durant (hamstring) is "trending to play," per DallasCowboys.com. Schottenheimer also agreed Dallas has to get George Pickens going earlier after a six-catch, 73-yard night on 11 targets: "We need to move him around more," he said, per WhyNFL's account of the press conference. Kickoff in Philadelphia is Monday, Oct. 26, at 8:15 p.m. Eastern / 7:15 p.m. Central, per ESPN's schedule.

RF Sports Radio's take (opinion)

My take: Overshown is the most important return on this roster right now, and it is not close. Christian Parker's defense has been begging for a linebacker who can run with tight ends and backs in space. Losing Winters stings because Schottenheimer called the Packers game "maybe his best game for us." Getting Overshown back, even for limited snaps, keeps that spot from becoming a weekly problem.

On offense, I love hearing the coach say Pickens has to move. A receiver with his talent should never be easy to find before the snap. Motion him, put him in the slot, give him a quick throw early, and let CeeDee Lamb feast on the coverage that follows. The real fix, though, is the one Schottenheimer named himself: stop falling behind. Play from in front, and the run game shows up.

My call: I am sticking with what I said after Green Bay. Dallas wins a close one in Philadelphia and gets to 3-4. That is a prediction, not a report. If the Cowboys are down two scores at halftime again, all bets are off.

What to watch next

Watch the first injury report later this week for Overshown's practice status, Durant's participation, and any update on Turpin and Joey Porter Jr., who Schottenheimer said rolled his ankle again Sunday. Remember, this is the first of two Eagles games in five weeks; Philadelphia comes to AT&T Stadium on Thanksgiving. For Sunday's loss in Green Bay, read our Oct. 20 Cowboys column on the Lambeau loss, and follow every update on the Dallas Cowboys page.

Radio question: what matters more Monday night — DeMarvion Overshown back on defense, or George Pickens finally getting moved around on offense?

Sources: DallasCowboys.com — Frustrated Schottenheimer analyzes Cowboys' struggles vs. Packers; DallasCowboys.com — DeMarvion Overshown to return vs. Eagles on MNF; DallasCowboys.com — Updates: Latest on Cobie Durant's status; The Dallas Morning News — Cowboys hopeful for Overshown's return vs. Eagles; WhyNFL — Schottenheimer on Winters, Overshown and moving Pickens around; ESPN — Dallas Cowboys 2026 schedule.