DaRon Bland
Getty
Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland.
Right when the Dallas Cowboys seemed like they were starting to get some momentum, adversity shows up in full force.
Following a season-opening loss to the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in which the Cowboys looked like a much different — and better — team than expected, NFL All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland is expected to be out for several weeks with a foot injury.
“The Dallas Cowboys could be without cornerback DaRon Bland for a couple of weeks because of a right foot injury suffered in Monday’s practice, according to multiple sources,” ESPN’s Todd Archer wrote on X on September 10.
The Cowboys return to action in Week 2 against the New York Giants on Sunday, September 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in their home opener.
It’s the second consecutive year Bland has dealt with foot issues. .
“Cowboys CBDaRon Bland (foot) was not at practice today and was spotted in a boot in the facility,” The Fort Worth Star Telegram’s Nick Harris wrote on his official X account on September 10. “He was listed as a DNP in today’s practice. Something to monitor moving into this week.Bland missed 10 games last year with a foot fracture.”
Bland signed a 4-year, $90 million contract extension with the Cowboys on August 31 which included approximately $49.3 million in guaranteed money
Cowboys Secondary Already Dealing With Injuries
Of the 3 cornerbacks expected to take on the lion’s share of duties this season, all 3 are now dealing with injury issues.
Another fellow NFL All-Pro cornerback, Trevon Diggs, was a surprise addition to the active roster in the 24-20 loss to the Eagles on Thursday, September 4, but was limited in snaps. Diggs has missed 22 games over the last 2 seasons with knee injuries.
Rookie cornerback and third round pick (No. 76 overall) Shavon Revel is still recovering from an ACL injury suffered during his final season at East Carolina in 2024 and should be back at some point in the first month of the season, but the Cowboys have yet to say for certain when that might be.
Bland Highly Regarded CB In NFL Circles
Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder singled Bland out as the NFC East’s best cornerback alongside wunderkind cornerback Quinyon Mitchell for the Eagles.
“Trevon Diggs was also considered here, but having surgery on the same knee in back-to-back offseasons points to some regression this fall,” Holder wrote on July 7. “However, that makes way for Diggs’ running mate, Bland, to earn a spot, as the pick-six specialist is more than capable of producing highlight-worthy plays when healthy.”
Bland was an NFL All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2023 after he led the NFL with 9 interceptions in 2023 — the same year he set the NFL single season record with 5 interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Bland was a fifth round pick (No. 176 overall) after one season at Fresno State and playing his first 4 college seasons at FCS Sacramento State. After 14 interceptions across his first 2 NFL seasons, Bland finally hit a wall in 2024 and only played in 7 games due to injuries and didn’t record an interception.
With Diggs on a snap count in the opener he wasn’t in the starting lineup behind Bland and Kaiir Elam.