The Dallas Cowboys played most of last season without Trevon Diggs, who tore his ACL in September. DaRon Bland is eager to welcome his star teammate back to the secondary.
According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys expect Diggs to be ready for training camp after suffering a season-ending injury in Week 2. Bland, who rose to the occasion with an All-Pro campaign, sent an ominous message to the rest of the NFL.
“A lot of people are not expecting what Tre is gonna come back with,” Bland said. “I know what Tre is gonna come back with. It’s going to be something dangerous. Can’t wait.”
Diggs returned two of an NFL-leading 11 interceptions for touchdowns during an All-Pro 2021 campaign. While opposing offenses learned their lesson and targeted him less often, the former Alabama star made the 2022 Pro Bowl with three picks and a fumble recovery.
Two games into the 2023 season, Diggs forced a fumble and recorded another interception before suffering the devastating knee injury. In his absence, Bland gave the Cowboys a new star cornerback.
Bland collected a league-high nine picks and set an NFL record by returning five of them for touchdowns. The fifth-round pick ended his second season fifth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.
A healthy Diggs and Bland would give Dallas one of the league’s premier cornerback duos. Slot corner Jourdan Lewis also returns with safeties Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker roaming the secondary.
The Cowboys ranked fifth in total defense and points allowed last season before falling 48-32 in a first-round loss to the Green Bay Packers. They’ll hope to ride an elite defense to a deeper playoff run next season.