The Dallas Cowboys are set to receive a defensive boost as cornerback Trevon Diggs will make his debut at training camp following a torn ACL suffered last season.
Dallas removed Diggs from its physically unable to perform on Tuesday morning, clearing the path for him to begin working with the team on the practice field in the coming days, according to Ari Meirov.
Diggs will now join the team on the field at practice for the first time since he tore his left ACL during a one-on-one drill in practice after just two games of the 2023 season, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy said over the weekend that the team is “going to be smart” with how it eases Diggs back into the action, adding that he has been impressive during the rehab process.
“He looks great. I think if he was standing here, he’d tell you he’d be ready to go. Caution is probably, from my chair, the way I look at it,” said McCarthy, per NFL.com.
There is more than a month before the team has its first regular season game against the Cleveland Browns on September 8, meaning Diggs should have more than enough time to work himself back into playing shape.
The former second-round pick has been one of the cornerbacks in the entire NFL since he was drafted in 2020, helping the Cowboys create one of the strongest and most consistent defenses during that span.
Diggs’ best season of his career came in 2021 in which he collected 52 total tackles and a league-high 11 interceptions, including two that he ran back for touchdowns.
This season-long performance earned Diggs a selection to the 2021 All-Pro Defensive First Team.
The Cowboys will likely tout one of the best defensive secondaries in the entire league to begin the season when Diggs joins cornerback DaRon Bland, who posted a league-high nine interceptions during the 2023 season.
Dallas needs as many high-level players on the field following an offseason in which a plethora of players opted to sign with other teams during the free agency period.
The franchise will be without the services of defensive linemen Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler, and Johnathan Hankins after each signed a contract with a new team.
Additionally, cornerback Stephon Gilmore has yet to sign with another franchise but is unlikely to return to the Cowboys after spending just one season with the Cowboys.
On the offensive side of the ball, wide receiver Michael Gallup, who recently announced his retirement, and running back Tony Pollard each chose to sign with other teams in free agency following solid years in Dallas.
These losses in free agency, coupled with a torn ACL and MCL suffered by defensive end Sam Williams, will force the Cowboys to lean more on younger players than initially expected.
While it remains unclear who will step into impact roles for the Cowboys on either side of the ball, multiple players have already shown the potential to break out and become game-changers for the team in the upcoming season, as previously reported by DX.
