Von Miller was back at work Thursday, giving the Cowboys’ edge group another participant before San Francisco arrives at AT&T Stadium. Dallas listed Miller as a full participant after resting him Wednesday, giving the team another actual practice option rather than another name on a report. It does not establish how much he will play Sunday. It does give the Cowboys more room to plan.
The distinction starts with the reason for Miller’s Wednesday absence: rest, not an injury designation. His return is therefore a change in workload management, not a medical recovery story. Dallas can use Thursday’s participation to build its defensive plan around a veteran outside linebacker without pretending that a full practice automatically equals a full game.
That restraint is especially important because Donovan Ezeiruaku remained out with an ankle issue for the second straight day. Ezeiruaku was also a nonparticipant Wednesday, so the Cowboys did not gain a second edge option as Miller returned. The group moved sideways in one respect: one established player came back to practice, while Ezeiruaku stayed unavailable for the session.
Marist Liufau gives Dallas another piece to work with. He was a full participant for the second consecutive day while listed as an outside linebacker with a forearm issue. His presence expands the menu, though it does not confirm a lineup spot or tell us how the Cowboys will divide snaps.
Practice participation creates choices; it does not fill out the depth chart in permanent ink.
DeMarvion Overshown’s change from limited Wednesday work to full participation adds a separate layer to the front-seven picture. Overshown is listed as a linebacker dealing with a hamstring/back issue, and he missed Dallas’ Nov. 8 victory over Indianapolis. His Thursday status is encouraging for the team’s preparation, but it should not be confused with a Sunday clearance.
More importantly, he should not be folded into the edge discussion simply because his return would also help the defense. His position and responsibilities are a different question.
Miller and Liufau give the staff two outside linebackers who completed Thursday’s practice. Overshown’s full session adds progress at linebacker, while Ezeiruaku still could not participate at the edge. That is enough to make the remaining preparation more than an exercise in waiting for absent players.
Dallas can work with those available and leave the final allocation of Sunday responsibilities open until it knows who can perform them.
The timing is significant for a Cowboys team preparing for a 7-1 San Francisco club while sitting at 4-5. Dallas cannot afford to confuse a better Thursday with a solved matchup, particularly after the defense has already had to account for absences elsewhere. Joey Porter Jr. remained out with an ankle issue for a second day, and P.J.