Trevon Diggs is back in navy blue. He started practicing with the team a few days ago. After tearing an ACL in practice last season, Diggs made a full recovery. Cleared from the Physically Unable to Play (PUP) list, he is ready to rejoin the Dallas Cowboys defense for another fantastic season.
Trevon Diggs is Back on Cowboys Practice Field After ACL Tear
Mike McCarthy’s Plans for Trevon Diggs
In a press conference earlier this week, Mike McCarthy said he fully expects Diggs to play this season. In the same breath, McCarthy said he plans to take his time getting to that point.
McCarthy said he wants to work Diggs in “slowly”, keeping him consistent with rehab training while also practicing in some field drills. They plan to start him off with team drills and then ease him into those individual, one-on-one matchups.
Although he’s expected to return immediately, it still could be a few games into the season before Diggs ends up on the field again. The Cowboys don’t want to take any risks.
How the Dallas Cowboys Defense Shifted
This past season wasn’t too shabby for the Cowboys defense. DaRon Bland broke the record for most pick-6s in a single season. Micah Parsons showed up and showed out with 13-plus sacks. It was his third consecutive season of getting there.
However, the Cowboys lost a couple of notable players this past offseason like defensive ends Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. Along with EDGE depth, the Cowboys also suffered losses on the defensive line. Both Johnathan Hankins and Neville Gallimore have signed with other teams too.
Another defensive end, Sam Williams, recently suffered an ACL and MCL tear in training camp. This leaves the Cowboys’ defense weaker than it would’ve been had Williams been able to play this year.
That’s where Diggs steps in and finds himself bringing up a weakened defense.
Trevon Diggs is a Playmaker
In his press conference, McCarthy was asked what he missed about Diggs this past year.
“He’s such a playmaker,” McCarthy told reporters on July 30. “His ability to go get the football, get his hands on the football. His challenge [of the] receivers.
Looking at his stats, it’s easy to see why McCarthy felt this way. Even though he only played two regular-season games last year, Diggs still managed to deflect three passes and make an interception. In his 2021 season, Diggs had an incredible 11 interceptions and disrupted 21 passes.
Bringing that ability onto the field is a necessity with all the new teammates on the squad.
The Hope for the Cowboys This Year
Diggs stands as a veteran for this football team full of rookies. The goal then would be to help lift the team.
When adding guys like Marshawn Kneeland and Tyrus Wheat, they need leadership and guidance from experienced players to get to an elite level faster. Not to mention, the Cowboys have a new defensive coordinator in Mike Zimmer.
In a training camp interview, Diggs sees the defense broken into three parts with three strong leaders: Micah at the front with the defensive line, Eric Kendricks in the middle of the defense, and himself in the backfield. Giving these three veterans reign over this defense could prove fatal for any offensive front they come against.
If Diggs can bounce back into the game with ease, it could prove a successful season for this Dallas Cowboys defense.
Main Photo: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
