Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland is expected to be activated from injured reserve on Wednesday, according to WFAA’s Ed Werder.
Dallas opened Bland’s 21-day practice window on Oct. 9, so he must be activated or revert to season-ending injured reserve. He required surgery to repair a foot fracture suffered in training camp, sidelining him for the Cowboys’ first seven regular season games.
Bland was a full participant in his first two practices during Week 6, but has not practiced since after experiencing discomfort in his foot. Dallas won’t want to lose him for the rest of the season, but he may require more time to get fully healthy and back into game shape.
Rookie Caelen Carson has struggled in Bland’s place, allowing completions on two-thirds of his targets, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). A return from the 2023 first-team All-Pro alongside Trevon Diggs would help the Cowboys withstand a myriad of injuries to their pass rush. Sam Williams landed on season-ending injured reserve during training camp, and both Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence have been sidelined since Week 4 with injuries of their own.
The Cowboys have missed Bland’s production after he recorded a league-high nine interceptions in 2023, including five pick-sixes. Dallas has just four interceptions this year with a 6.6% turnover rate that ranks eighth-worst among NFL defenses after forcing a turnover on 14.6% of opponent drives last season, the fourth-highest rate in the league.
Dallas currently has 54 players listed on their active roster, so they will need to clear two spots to open space for Bland’s activation.
