The Dallas Cowboys entered Week 8 with playoff ambitions and a firm grip on their identity as a defense-first team.
But the mood shifted dramatically when cornerback Trevon Diggs was unexpectedly placed on injured reserve on Saturday, just days after head coach Brian Schottenheimer downplayed the severity of Diggs’ status.
While the team officially cited a concussion as the reason for his absence, multiple reports suggest that lingering issues with Diggs’ surgically repaired right knee played a larger role in sidelining the two-time Pro Bowler.
That revelation not only adds another chapter to a troubling injury history, but also intensifies speculation that Diggs may not have a long-term future in Dallas.
The 27-year-old was already ruled out for Sunday’s road matchup against the Denver Broncos. Now, per NFL rules, he will be ineligible to return until Week 13 at the earliest-when the Cowboys host the Kansas City Chiefs in a game that could have major postseason implications.
Cowboys face tough decision as Diggs’ availability dwindles
Diggs’ placement on IR came as a surprise, not just because of the timing, but because of the conflicting messages from within the organization.
Just 24 hours earlier, Schottenheimer told reporters that the team had no plans to move Diggs to injured reserve. That changed quickly, and not without controversy.
According to WFAA’s Ed Werder, Diggs’ absence is being driven by “residual problems with his right knee,” not just the concussion he sustained at home. The head injury, which reportedly occurred off the field, has been shrouded in mystery.
Coach Schottenheimer declined to share specifics, saying only that Diggs experienced some sort of accident. But it’s the knee-the same one that required ACL surgery in 2023-that continues to be the bigger concern.
“He hasn’t been able to stay healthy, and patience is starting to wear thin in the Lone Star State,” wrote Richard Louis of SportDFW. “This latest injury likely means Diggs’ tenure in Dallas will come to an end sooner rather than later.”
That sentiment is gaining traction. Owner Jerry Jones, never one to hold back, appeared exasperated when asked about Diggs earlier this week.
“There’s no reason to dwell on it anymore,” Jones told Dallas Morning News. “I don’t know the status of Diggs as we move forward, but I feel better about being able to play if we don’t have him out there.”
That’s a remarkable shift in tone, considering that Diggs signed a five-year, $97 million contract extension just over a year ago.
At the time, the deal seemed like a no-brainer. Diggs had just completed a season with 11 interceptions and had established himself as one of the league’s top ballhawks.
But since signing that extension, he’s played only six games, and missed all of the 2023 campaign after tearing his ACL in September.
A crowded cornerback room and a closing window
What makes Diggs’ situation even more precarious is how quickly Dallas has filled the void. Cornerback DaRon Bland, who signed a four-year, $92 million extension in August, is thriving in an expanded role.
Rookie Shavon Revel Jr. is nearing his NFL debut, and second-year defender Caelen Carson has been quietly climbing the depth chart. Meanwhile, CJ Goodwin and rookie Trikweze Bridges are likely to rotate in during Diggs’ absence.
The Cowboys aren’t just preparing for life without Diggs in the short term-they’re building for a future that may not include him at all.
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