Cowboys Rumors: Plans for DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis After Diggs Injury Revealed

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Dallas Cowboys star cornerback Trevon Diggs tore his ACL during Thursday’s practice, an injury that will end his season and deal the team a major blow to its Super Bowl hopes.

According to Jane Slater of NFL Network, the “plan” at cornerback is to move DaRon Bland outside opposite of Stephon Gilmore, have Jourdan Lewis handle the nickel role and rely on Noah Igbinoghene for depth.

Diggs, 25, has emerged as one of the NFL’s most dynamic playmakers at the cornerback position in his four seasons, pulling down 18 career interceptions, a pair of Pro Bowl bids and a first-team All-Pro selection in 2021.

That earned him a five-year, $97 million contract extension this offseason, and he’s had a strong start to the 2023 campaign:

But the Cowboys have excellent depth at the position.

Gilmore, 33, is a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro selection will now be relied upon as the team’s top option at the position.

Bland, 24, actually led the Cowboys in interceptions (five) during his rookie season in 2022 and already has a pick-six this season. Diggs is the starter for a reason, but Bland is about as good a backup plan at the position as you’ll find in the NFL.

The 28-year-old Lewis has spent his entire seven-year career with the Cowboys, pulling in eight interceptions. He returned from a Lisfranc injury last week that had sidelined him since last October.

The 23-year-old Igbinoghene joined the Cowboys in an August trade after three years with the Miami Dolphins. He has one career interception and was inactive in Week 2 after receiving 29 snaps in Week 1.

Other options at the position include 2023 sixth-rounder Eric Scott Jr., Nahshon Wright (once he returns from injured reserve, which would be Week 5 at the earliest) and C.J. Goodwin, who is currently on the practice squad.

The Cowboys are dealing with quite a few injuries to key players, as center Tyler Biadasz suffered a hamstring injury on Thursday and right guard Zack Martin is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.

Both wideout Brandin Cooks and left guard Tyler Smith participated fully in Thursday’s practice, however, some good news for a suddenly banged-up Dallas team.