Report: Cowboys' David Durden diagnosed with torn ACL
The injury bug continues to bite the Dallas Cowboys. Rookie receiver David Durden has suffered a torn ACL, according to Cowboys beat writer Michael Gehlken.
Durden is the third Cowboys rookie to suffer a torn ACL in the past week, joining linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and tight end John Stephens.
Durden’s injury occurred during Wednesday’s practice. He ended up needing to be carted off the field.
Overshown and Stephens were injured in Saturday’s preseason loss against the Seattle Seahawks.
David Durden is an undrafted rookie out of the University of West Florida. He signed with the Cowboys in April, shortly after the conclusion of the NFL draft.
A training camp standout, Durden seemed poised to begin the season on the Cowboys’ practice squad. He missed the preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars after suffering a concussion earlier in training camp.
Prior to making his way to West Florida, Durden pursued a professional baseball career. The Boston Red Sox selected him in the 20th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, receiving a $125,000 signing bonus to forgo his commitment to Mercer. He retired from baseball after just one season with rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox — now Florida Complex League Red Sox. In two seasons at West Florida, Durden hauled in 88 receptions for 1,915 yards and a program-record-tying 23 touchdowns.
More on injury to DeMarvion Overshown
Of the three Cowboys to suffer season-ending injuries, the one to Overshown is likely the most impactful for the 2023 season.
The former Texas star was having a great preseason for the Cowboys.
“He has been frankly, you could make the argument, the star of the rookie class,” head coach Mike McCarthy said Monday. “He stood up the first time we got in the meeting room and the walkthrough with his command. …He was just excelling at every opportunity.”
The injury occurred with just under eight minutes remaining in the first quarter, when Overshown made a tackle on Seahawks rookie tailback Zach Charbonnet. Overshown appeared to be fine initially, before grabbing his left knee in pain. He was able to walk off the field on his own power, eventually being carted off to the locker room. He had three tackles before he had to exit the game.
Head coach Mike McCarthy addressed Overshown’s injury after the game.
“You just say your prayers and hopefully the imaging points in the right direction. He’s had an incredible camp,” McCarthy said, via Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “We talked about him seems like almost every other day. I just hope he’s okay.”