Dallas Cowboys All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland is set to miss six to eight weeks due to a stress fracture in his left foot. Bland is scheduled to undergo surgery on his fifth metatarsal after reporting soreness following the team’s final practice in Oxnard, California. If his recovery goes as planned, he may return in mid-October, potentially missing the first five or six games of the season.
Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones expressed relief that Bland’s injury is not more serious, stating, “It’s serious, but the good news is we’re going to have him for the meat of the deal.” The Cowboys do not plan to seek additional cornerback talent during the roster cut process, feeling confident in the players who have performed well during training camp.
With Bland sidelined, the Cowboys will lean on Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs and Jourdan Lewis. Diggs is returning for the season opener against the Cleveland Browns after missing the last 15 games of the previous season due to a torn ACL. Lewis, who has shown strong performance in camp, is expected to work in the slot while also being capable of playing outside.
Coach Mike McCarthy spoke highly of fifth-round pick Caelen Carson, who has made a quick impression during camp. Carson missed some practice time due to a wisdom tooth extraction, but has demonstrated playmaking abilities that could help fill the gap left by Bland’s absence.
This injury is particularly challenging for new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who was counting on the strong cornerback pairing of Bland and Diggs. Bland has already secured 14 interceptions in his first two seasons, while Diggs has 18 in four years, illustrating their prowess in finding the ball.
Lewis noted that the veteran players will assist Carson as he prepares for a larger role, emphasizing the importance of staying ready and understanding the team’s defensive schemes.
Bland’s injury follows another significant loss for the Cowboys, as pass rusher Sam Williams was ruled out for the season due to a torn ACL, marking a tough start to the training camp for the team.