The Dallas Cowboys are making a high-profile switch in their secondary - and it’s coming at a pivotal moment in their season. As the team welcomes back star cornerback Trevon Diggs from injured reserve, they’re also losing another standout: DaRon Bland, who’s been officially ruled out for the rest of the year after suffering a foot injury in Week 15.
Diggs, sidelined since Week 6, is set to rejoin the active roster for Week 16. His return has been in the works for several weeks, with Dallas opening his 21-day practice window back on November 30.
The team had until the end of this week to make a decision, and they didn’t wait until the buzzer. With Diggs now cleared, he’ll step back into a defense that’s been holding its own but is about to face some serious tests down the stretch.
On the flip side, Bland’s injury is a tough blow. After being added to the injury report midweek and missing practice entirely, concerns quickly escalated. Those fears were confirmed when he underwent season-ending surgery on Thursday, and the Cowboys moved him to IR shortly after.
From a rotation standpoint, this is essentially a one-for-one swap. Diggs will slide into Bland’s role and likely line up opposite second-year corner Caelen Carson - assuming Carson is good to go.
He’s currently listed as questionable for Week 16, and if he can’t suit up, rookie Shavon Revel Jr. is expected to get the nod for what would be his fourth career start. Trikweze Bridges would also factor into the outside rotation, giving Dallas some depth but not a ton of experience.
In the slot, Reddy Steward remains locked in at nickelback, and he’s got a tall task ahead - shadowing veteran receiver Keenan Allen for most of the game. That matchup could be one of the key battles to watch, especially with Allen’s ability to exploit soft spots in zone coverage and create separation underneath.
There’s also a chance the Cowboys get another reinforcement: Josh Butler, who was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list on Wednesday. Butler played in just five games last season and hasn’t seen the field in 2025, but his return adds another body to a secondary that’s suddenly dealing with some real attrition.
This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Dallas. The team has weathered injuries in the secondary before, and now they’ll count on Diggs - a proven playmaker - to step back in and help stabilize the unit. With the playoffs looming and opponents getting tougher, his timing couldn’t be better.