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When the ball was initally touched, it was in the possession of a runner who was inbounds. Therefore, even though the defender was OOB, the ball was in play.
What was missed was the second touch by the defender. After the ball was loose, the defender touched the ball again while still OOB. If a LOOSE ball is touched by a player who is OOB, the ball becomes dead at that point.
Dick Vermeil wanted the play reviewed based on his opinion that the runner had stepped OOB prior to the fumble. He did not contest whether the ball should have been OOB because of the touch by the defender. So, even though there was a review, the referee was looking for the runner satepping out, not the defender touching the loose ball while OOB.
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