For the Cowboys, the defensive resurgence the team has been orchestrating in the past three weeks appears to be a real and long-lasting phenomenon. Not only has Dallas won three straight, but since reshaping the defense with trade-deadline maneuvers (defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, linebacker Logan Wilson) and returning starters like DeMarvion Overshown), the team has held teams to 21.7 points per game, down from 30.8 in the first nine games.
But if there is a shaky aspect of the defense, it remains the cornerbacks, where Caelan Carson and rookie Shavon Revel are getting their first action after returning from injuries and veterans DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs have had significant setbacks with injuries and dips in performance.
Still, on Thursday against the Chiefs, there was concern about Bland when he went out in the game and appear to be limping to keep pressure off his foot–which he injured last year and required surgery that kept him out for 10 games. Bland injured the foot again early this season.
Cowboys Not Concerned About DaRon Bland Foot
On Friday, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer met with the media and delivered an update on Bland, who returned to the game but was still a subject of concern.
“The foot is fine,” Schottenheimer said.
As Cowboys.com writer Patrik Walker wrote on Twitter/X, “DaRon Bland had a bit of soreness in his foot, but the #Cowboys don’t have any concern about his availability for Week 14 vs. the Lions. Early Week 14 injury CB scoreboard: Trevon Diggs on track for possible return, Caelen Carson has solid odds.
DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs Back Together?
Diggs has been out since mid-October in what has been a difficult season, to say the least.
Diggs suffered mysterious mid-week concussion at his home before the Cowboys were slated to play the Commanders in Week 7. Soon after the concussion, it was revealed that Diggs was also struggling to get himself fully healthy after having had offseason knee surgery. But there was a twist with that, too, as it turned out Diggs’ opposite knee was the one that had been troublesome.
On Friday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones issued a surprise statement all but guaranteeing Diggs will play in Week 14 against Detroit, a Thursday night game.
(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)Trevon Diggs #7 of the Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys Defense Playing With ‘Violence’
Schottenheimer isn’t expressing much concern about the team’s cornerbacks, and if Diggs can get back to something like full health, with Bland on hand and Carson continuing to improve, then that aspect of the D should be on the upswing, too.
The coach does like what he’s seen from the defense in general: “I think you guys know what we’re capable of on offense. I think the defense, again, has just taken so many strides over the last couple of weeks. When I watch our defense play, man, I see violence, I see passion, I see everybody running to the football.”
Schottenheimer continued: “I think it’s contagious and they feed off one another, and that’s a really good football team, a really good offense. They’ve got weapons everywhere, the quarterback, what can you say about him? But again, we’re playing with a bunch of confidence.”
