Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs out for the season with torn ACL
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DALLAS — The Cowboys have lost Trevon Diggs for the season.
The two-time Pro Bowl cornerback suffered an ACL tear during a 1-on-1 period at Thursday’s practice, a person familiar with the situation said. He was seen afterward on crutches. The team is proceeding with the expectation Diggs is out for the year, a brutal blow to a defense that dominated its first two opponents.
Dallas has depth at all defensive positions.
Still, it obviously hoped not to tap into it so soon. DaRon Bland likely will start at outside cornerback for Diggs, beginning Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. He’d work at outside cornerback opposite Stephon Gilmore. Jourdan Lewis also could see more work in the slot, but considering Lewis played only 10 snaps in his season debut following a major October foot injury, he may not see a full snap load yet.
Safety Israel Mukuamu has nickel experience and could work into the fold.
An MRI already confirmed Trevon Diggs' injury, per source. He's done for the season. https://t.co/PQ7mS4a9hV
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 21, 2023
Diggs’ injury occurred after the window during which reporters can view practice. The Cowboys were working on their outdoor, natural grass field at Ford Center at The Star.
“I’m not going to speak on anything,” quarterback Dak Prescott said to reporters afterward. “It’s way too early. I guess some of you saw him leaving the field. Prayers. Hoping for the best, simple as that.
Diggs was off to an exceptional start to his season.
On eight passes thrown in his direction, he allowed two receptions for 26 yards with an interception, according to Pro Football Focus. He also broke up two passes, one of which led Bland to intercept a Week 1 pass against the New York Giants and return it for a touchdown. Quarterbacks have a league-low 1.0 rating when throwing against Diggs.
The passer rating for a spiked ball is 39.6.
From @NFLGameDay Kickoff: The #Cowboys lost star CB Trevon Diggs for the season with a torn ACL. pic.twitter.com/mR6lXnCfM8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2023
Dallas recorded 10 sacks and allowed 10 points its first two games. The unit is a key reason not only for the current 2-0 record but the Cowboys becoming the seventh team since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger to outscore their first two opponents by a combined 60 points or more. Their margin over the New York Giants and Jets was 70-10.
Since being drafted in the 2020 second round, Diggs has 18 career interceptions and tied the single-season franchise record with 11 picks in 2021.
The Cowboys signed him to a five-year, $97 million contract extension in July. Diggs responded by playing the best and most physical football of his career until Thursday’s brutal development.
Diggs was one of two players whom the Cowboys added to their injury report following practice.
Center Tyler Biadasz was a limited participant, too. He has a hamstring issue and, like Diggs, was scheduled for an MRI after practice, a person familiar with his situation said. Unlike Diggs, Biadasz chatted with reporters inside the locker room Thursday during a media availability period. Brock Hoffman, on the practice squad, would start in Glendale, Ariz., if Biadasz cannot go.
In that hypothetical scenario, a second practice-squad player likely would need to be elevated Saturday to serve as Hoffman’s backup. Undrafted rookie guard T.J. Bass is developing his craft at center but may not be game ready yet. The Cowboys signed guard/center Sean Harlow to their practice squad this month. He spent camp with the Giants.
Diggs, who tied a franchise record with 11 interceptions in 2021, was off to a strong start in his first season with 2019 AP Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore starting on the opposite side.
Through two games, Diggs had an NFL-best 1.0 passer rating against when targeted.
Diggs is the second starter to get injured in practice since the regular season started. Left guard Tyler Smith injured a hamstring before the opener and is expected to make his season debut Sunday at Arizona.
Without Diggs, second-year player DaRon Bland is the likely starter opposite Gilmore with Jourdan Lewis playing in the slot. Lewis made his 2023 debut last week after missing most of last season with a broken foot.
Noah Igbinoghene, a 2020 first-round pick by Miami, is another option after joining the Cowboys in a preseason trade.