‘A Blessing To Be Back’: Marist Liufau Returns To Dallas Cowboys Practice As 21-Day Window Opens After Forearm Fracture
FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys linebacker Marist Liufau practiced Thursday for the first time since fracturing his forearm in the preseason finale, as Dallas opened his 21-day window to return from injured reserve.
Liufau broke the forearm against the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 28 and had surgery. He was limited in practice Thursday, and Dallas has 21 days to activate him or he reverts to injured reserve for the rest of the season. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer listed the opening of Liufau’s window in his injury update before practice.
“Physically I feel great,” Liufau said. “Well, I’m just so grateful to be back with the boys, like practicing with them and spending that time together with them. I miss that for sure. So it’s such a blessing to be back.”
Dallas drafted Liufau in the third round, 87th overall, out of Notre Dame in 2024. He played in all 17 games in 2025 and finished with 30 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble.
Marist Liufau On The First Missed Games Of His NFL Career
The six games Liufau has missed this season are the first of his NFL career. Staying involved with the team while he was sidelined helped him, and so did his teammates.
“It just builds you up. It builds your character,” Liufau explained. “When the game is taken away from you and you love it so much, it’s always hard. So you just find ways to get through and to grow and still be able to mentally process everything going on.”
“Staying involved has helped me a ton. Being around the guys, they lift me up, they encourage me,” Liufau continued. “So just being around them has helped me to get through this and I’m super happy to be back with them.”
The surgically repaired forearm is ready for contact, according to Liufau. Dee Winters’ interception at Green Bay on Oct. 18 was Dallas’ first of the season.
“I’ll be ready to punch some stuff out,” Liufau said.
Liufau On Jaishawn Barham And DeMarvion Overshown
Third-round rookie Jaishawn Barham has started at linebacker since Week 2 and worn the green dot as the defense’s play-caller. DeMarvion Overshown was a full participant Thursday after missing five games with a hamstring injury, while Dee Winters did not practice with an Achilles strain.
“Just the ability to step up for Jaishawn as a rookie to do what he’s doing. Really impressive. So proud of him,” Liufau said. “And then just rooting for D-Mo to come back. We just need him on the field, running around, doing what D-Mo does. Whenever that happens, when he comes back, we’re immediately going to get a lot of help. I think those two are huge pieces of our defense that can really help us win.”
Dallas held the Green Bay Packers to 57 rushing yards on 26 carries and sacked Jordan Love 3 times on Oct. 18. Trust in one another is where Liufau sees the defense’s recent gains.
“I think just working together, trusting in one another, and really just doing our own personal job on the field,” Liufau said. “Putting those pieces together and relying on one another to come and just execute one goal to play defense. And I think we just made a lot of strides recently and we’re getting better every day.”
The Cowboys visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Kickoff at Lincoln Financial Field is set for 7:15 p.m. CT on ESPN and ABC.
