The Dallas Cowboys are set to be without All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland for six to eight weeks due to a stress fracture in his left foot. Bland is expected to undergo surgery on his fifth metatarsal, after experiencing soreness following the team’s final practice in Oxnard, California. If he adheres to the recovery timeline, he might return in mid-October, potentially missing the first five or six games of the season. The Cowboys’ bye week is scheduled for October 20.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones expressed relief that Bland’s absence wouldn’t last longer, noting, “It’s serious, but the good news is we’re going to have him for the meat of the deal.”
Despite Bland’s injury, Jones confirmed that the team will not seek additional help at the cornerback position as they finalize their 53-man roster, citing the strong performance of other players during training camp.
The Cowboys are expecting to have Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs back for the season opener against the Cleveland Browns on September 8. Diggs missed the final 15 games last season due to a torn ACL in his left knee but has returned to full team drills in recent weeks.
In Bland’s absence, the Cowboys will rely on Diggs and Jourdan Lewis, who has impressed during training camp, particularly as a slot cornerback. Lewis noted the importance of the veteran players helping the younger ones prepare for greater responsibilities.
Bland’s injury comes as a significant blow to defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who viewed the pairing of Bland and Diggs as one of the league’s top cornerback duos. Both players have demonstrated a strong ability to intercept passes, with Bland recording 14 interceptions in his first two seasons and Diggs leading the league with 11 in 2021.
Additionally, this injury marks the second significant loss for the Cowboys’ defense during training camp, as pass rusher Sam Williams was previously ruled out for the season following a torn ACL. Lewis emphasized the disappointment of losing Bland, highlighting his strong performance during camp but remained optimistic about his eventual return.