
The Dallas Cowboys will kick off the regular season without one of their key defensive players. On Saturday, the team announced that star cornerback DaRon Bland will be out for an extended period due to an injury he sustained during training camp.
This setback is particularly concerning for the Cowboys, as Trevon Diggs is also returning from an ACL injury, leaving the Dallas secondary in a precarious situation. Bland, who had an outstanding season last year, leading the league with nine interceptions, will be on the sidelines as the team looks to other players to step up in his absence.
DaRon Bland Injury Details
The Cowboys revealed that Bland experienced foot discomfort during a training camp session in Oxnard last Wednesday. Subsequent medical imaging confirmed that he has a stress fracture in his foot, which will require surgery. This injury is a significant blow to the team, especially as they prepare for their final preseason game against the Chargers. However, there’s optimism that Bland could return during the regular season.
Expected Recovery Time
Bland is expected to be sidelined for 6-8 weeks following surgery. This timeline means he will likely miss the first half of the regular season, but there’s hope that he could be back on the field and taking first-team reps in about two months.
Cowboys Cornerback Depth Chart
In Bland’s absence, the Cowboys have a few options to fill the gap. Veteran C.J. Goodwin and rookie Caelen Carson are among the leading candidates. Goodwin, who has been a reliable part of Dallas’ defense since 2019, played in only five games last season but could see more action now. Carson, a fifth-round pick from Wake Forest in the 2024 Draft, made 42 tackles in 11 games during his junior season and will have a chance to prove himself at the professional level.
The team also has the option to explore trades or free agent signings to bolster their secondary before the regular season kicks off.
Position | First | Second | Third |
Cornerback | Trevon Diggs | C.J. Goodwin | Eric Scott Jr. |
Nickel cornerback | Jourdan Lewis | Kemon Hall | Josh DeBerry |
Cornerback | DaRon Bland | Caelen Carson | Josh Butler |
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