DaRon Bland's Surgery Puts Cowboys Defense at Risk

Cowboys Face Major Setback

The Cowboys suffered a big blow to the defense with the announcement of DaRon Bland being out for 6-8 weeks due to a stress fracture in his foot, necessitating surgery.

Bland's Impact on Team

Bland, who led the league with nine interceptions last year, including an NFL-record five returned for touchdowns, suffered the injury toward the end of training camp in Oxnard. Following the tests, the team revealed the stress fracture, which will likely shelf the Pro Bowl corner for two months.

Team Announcement

The Cowboys issued a statement confirming, "DaRon Bland experienced foot discomfort on Wednesday of last week during training camp in Oxnard. Subsequent imaging revealed a stress fracture in his foot. He will undergo surgery to repair the injury."

Defensive Adjustments

Without Bland, the Cowboys will face a tough challenge at cornerback, especially with Trevon Diggs still recovering from an ACL injury that sidelined him for most of the 2023 season. While Diggs has returned to practice, his reps are limited as the team navigates the situation.

Available Cornerbacks

Currently, the Cowboys have Diggs, veteran Jourdan Lewis, and Andrew Booth, along with rookie Caelen Carson and second-year pro Eric Scott at their disposal. Additional options include Kemon Hall, Josh DeBerry, and Josh Butler, as well as C.J. Goodwin, who predominantly plays special teams.