Cowboys Face DaRon Bland Injury Blow, Defensive Shakeups, and Cap Questions Ahead of Crucial Stretch
The Dallas Cowboys are entering the final stretch of the 2025 season with more questions than answers-especially on defense. Injuries continue to mount, key players are being shuffled, and the front office is already staring down some hard financial decisions for 2026. Here's where things stand in Dallas as the team prepares for a critical matchup with the Chargers.
DaRon Bland’s Foot Injury Could End His Season
The Cowboys may be without one of their top defensive backs for the rest of the season. Cornerback DaRon Bland is dealing with a left foot injury that could require season-ending surgery. The team is still evaluating his condition, but the outlook isn’t promising.
This isn’t Bland’s first battle with foot issues. He missed the second and third games of this season with a similar problem, and last year he underwent foot surgery that sidelined him for the first ten games. He managed to return and play in seven, showing flashes of the playmaker Dallas hoped he’d become.
In 2025, Bland suited up for 12 games, notching one interception and six pass breakups. While those numbers don’t jump off the page, his presence in the secondary has been steady-especially with Trevon Diggs missing most of the year. If Bland is indeed done for the season, it’s a major blow to a defense that’s already been fighting uphill.
Eberflus Heads to the Booth to Call Defensive Plays
In a strategic shift, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is moving off the sideline and into the coaching booth. After discussions with head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the two agreed that Eberflus would take on a bird’s-eye view for the final three games of the regular season.
Eberflus has experience calling plays from upstairs-his first stint came back in his early NFL days with the Browns. Since then, he’s mostly been on the field, both as a coordinator and a head coach. But now, the Cowboys believe this adjustment will help him better diagnose offensive schemes, relay real-time adjustments, and get a clearer perspective on the flow of the game.
With Eberflus in the booth, communication becomes even more critical. Defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton will serve as the main conduit on the field, relaying instructions and adjustments to the players. The Cowboys are betting that this shift in setup can help stabilize a defense that’s been inconsistent all year.
Injuries Continue to Pile Up in the Secondary
The Cowboys’ secondary is limping into Week 16. Alongside Bland, several other defensive backs are dealing with lingering issues. Trevon Diggs (knee), Caelen Carson (shoulder/hamstring), Josh Butler (knee), and Shavon Revel (knee) were all listed on the injury report this week.
Diggs, who has been sidelined for much of the season, is pushing to return. While he reportedly feels ready to go, he still has to clear some hurdles with the team before getting back on the field. Even if he does suit up, it’s clear the Cowboys are thin in the back end of their defense-and that’s not ideal with Justin Herbert and the Chargers up next.
George Pickens Still in the Long-Term Picture
Despite a quiet couple of weeks, wide receiver George Pickens remains a key part of the Cowboys’ offensive future. His production has dipped recently, but much of that has been attributed to increased attention from opposing defenses. With CeeDee Lamb drawing coverage as well, Pickens’ ability to stretch the field remains crucial to the offense’s explosiveness.
There’s been some chatter about what his recent dip might mean for contract talks, but the Cowboys aren’t panicking. If a long-term deal doesn’t materialize, the franchise tag is very much in play.
While Pickens likely won’t love that outcome, the front office sees his value and isn’t expected to let him walk. Barring a major surprise, he’ll be in Dallas next season.
Mock Draft Season Arrives Early in Dallas
At 6-7-1, the Cowboys are teetering on the edge of playoff contention-and that means mock draft season has already started to creep in.
One name being linked to Dallas is Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk. While his production dipped this season (29 tackles, five for loss, and two sacks), he remains an intriguing prospect with size, athleticism, and leadership qualities. At 6'6", 285 pounds, Faulk has the physical tools to make an immediate impact on a pass rush that has underwhelmed this year.
The Cowboys’ defense ranks near the bottom in scoring and yards allowed, and while the secondary has been banged up, the pass rush hasn’t been consistent enough to mask those issues. Adding a high-upside edge rusher like Faulk could be a step toward fixing that.
Kenny Clark Could Be a Cap Casualty in 2026
Looking ahead to the offseason, the Cowboys are going to have to make some tough financial decisions-and one of them might involve defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
Clark, who came over from Green Bay in the blockbuster deal that sent Micah Parsons out of Dallas, has been a solid contributor this season. He’s part of a revamped defensive line that also features Quinnen Williams and Osa Odighizuwa. But given the Cowboys’ cap situation, that trio may only last one season together.
Releasing Clark in 2026 would save the Cowboys $21.5 million with zero dead money, according to Over The Cap. That’s a significant chunk of change for a team that needs flexibility to make moves in free agency and extend key players. While Clark has done his job, the numbers may ultimately work against him.
Cowboys Remain the World’s Most Valuable Sports Franchise
Despite the on-field ups and downs, the Cowboys continue to dominate off the field. According to Forbes, Dallas has retained its title as the world’s most valuable sports team, now worth a staggering $13 billion-a 29% increase from last year.
That valuation puts them ahead of the Warriors, Rams, Giants, and Lakers, and underscores the business empire Jerry Jones has built. Even in a season filled with injuries, inconsistency, and looming financial decisions, the Cowboys remain a global brand with unmatched value.
What’s Next?
With three games left and playoff hopes still alive, the Cowboys are trying to hold it all together. Injuries have taken a toll, and the defense is undergoing a midseason shift in how it operates. But the talent is still there-on both sides of the ball.
If they can get healthy and find some rhythm, Dallas could still make a push. But with major offseason decisions already looming, this final stretch may also serve as a preview of some tough choices ahead.