Following one of the NFL’s most lackluster and disappointing offseasons, the Dallas Cowboys face a rocky start to their regular season.
Not only is superstar wide receiver CeeDee Lamb still sitting out amid a contract dispute, but on Saturday, the team found out that Pro Bowl cornerback DaRon Bland is going to be sidelined for 6-8 weeks after undergoing surgery for a stress fracture in his foot.
Bland was one of the league’s most impactful cornerbacks in his first two years in the NFL, having intercepted 14 passes. That includes a league-leading nine interceptions a year ago, five of which he returned for touchdowns. That impact made him a Pro Bowl selection and a first-team All-Pro.
This is the second year in a row the Cowboys have dealt with a major injury to one of their top cornerbacks.
Star cornerback Trevon Diggs was limited to just two games after suffering a season-ending injury early in the 2023 season.
Now Bland is going to open this season sidelined.
When healthy, the Diggs-Bland pairing is one of the best cornerback duos in the league. The Cowboys have not had a chance to see much of it over the past two years.