The Dallas Cowboys will be without standout cornerback DaRon Bland for six to eight weeks due to a stress fracture in his left foot. Bland is scheduled to undergo surgery on his fifth metatarsal after experiencing soreness following a practice in Oxnard, California. With this timeline, he could potentially return by mid-October, which means he may miss the first five or six games of the season, though the Cowboys have their bye week on October 20.
Last season, Bland had a remarkable performance, leading the NFL with nine interceptions and setting a record by converting five of those into pick-sixes, earning him Pro Bowl and All-Pro accolades. Following the Cowboys’ preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, owner Jerry Jones expressed relief that Bland’s absence would not be prolonged. “It’s serious, but the good news is we’re going to have him for the meat of the deal,” he stated.
Despite Bland’s injury, Jones indicated that the Cowboys would not seek additional cornerback support during the final roster cuts. “We’ve got some guys that have really shown well in camp,” he said.
The Cowboys are set to welcome back fellow cornerback Trevon Diggs, who returns to action after missing the last 15 games of the previous season due to a torn ACL. Diggs participated fully in the latter part of training camp. Alongside Diggs, Jourdan Lewis, who impressed in camp, will take on a key slot role. The team may also consider fifth-round pick Caelen Carson or Andrew Booth, acquired from the Minnesota Vikings.
Coach Mike McCarthy noted Carson’s quick impact and playmaking ability during training camp, emphasizing his skills and adaptability. Although losing Bland poses a challenge for defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, he and the team still believe in their cornerback pairing with Diggs.
Lewis expressed confidence that veterans would help prepare Carson for a larger responsibility, emphasizing the importance of staying focused and understanding the game. Bland is the second significant defensive loss for the Cowboys this camp, following pass rusher Sam Williams, who suffered a torn ACL. Lewis reflected on Bland’s promising training camp performance, acknowledging the disappointment of his injury but remaining optimistic about his eventual return.