The Dallas Cowboys (2-3-1) are gearing up for a massive Week 7 clash against the Washington Commanders (3-3) on Sunday — a game with significant divisional implications.
While the Cowboys are expected to welcome back star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury in Week 3 against the Chicago Bears, they will reportedly be without a key defensive piece — an unexpected blow to a unit that has struggled all season.
Former Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs was ruled out on Friday after Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced that Diggs suffered a concussion in an accident at his home on Thursday night and is now in concussion protocol.
A bizarre injury, to say the least, but one that further hampers a defense that has allowed 20 or more points in all six games this season and 30-plus points in four of them.
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Diggs has certainly not had his most productive season on the field, facing his fair share of adversity through the first stretch of games. He has dealt with injuries and a brief benching by defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and head coach Brian Schottenheimer, but he’s responded well and remains one of—if not the—biggest playmakers in the Cowboys’ secondary alongside cornerback DaRon Bland.
Yet, neither player has recorded a takeaway this season, which has significantly affected the Cowboys’ ability to get off the field consistently. While it’s been a collective struggle, the defense relies on Diggs and Bland to make plays, and so far, those opportunities haven’t materialized.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has invested heavily on the offensive side of the ball, particularly in Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. That focus came at a cost, as Jones ultimately chose not to pay star pass-rusher and the team’s best defensive player, Micah Parsons, this offseason.
Parsons was traded just prior to the season to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
Those picks could prove valuable ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline if Dallas decides to make a move. Trading for anything other than impactful defensive players would be risky at best, unless the Cowboys show significant improvement on that side of the ball over the next couple of games before the deadline.
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