The Dallas Cowboys are giving up the second-most points per game this season, and their 5.8 yards per play allowed are tied for fourth most in the league.
And now, after discussing a plan to play more man-to-man coverage, they’ll be down one of their starting outside cornerbacks Sunday against the Washington Commanders.
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Trevon Diggs is out and in concussion protocol after an accident at his home Thursday, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters Friday.
Schottenheimer explained that Diggs had concussion symptoms when he arrived at the team facility Friday. The two-time Pro Bowler was checked out by the Cowboys’ medical staff.
Schottenheimer said he didn’t know the details of the accident.
“It’s part of the business,” Schottenheimer said, via The Athletic. “It’s unfortunate. Obviously want what’s best for Trevon. Certainly am wishing him well. But again, next man up.
“We’ve got guys that we’re excited about getting a chance to evaluate. This is the NFL. If you’re unsure of what is going to happen, just wait, because something is going to happen and you deal with it. You don’t lose sleep over it.”
Schottenheimer added: “The biggest thing is just the concern for Trevon and that he’s OK, and it seems like he is.”
Kaiir Elam, a 2022 first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills who is in his first season with Dallas, is expected to start in Diggs’ place, opposite of DaRon Bland.
The Cowboys traded for Elam in March, and he played at least 59 defensive snaps in each of the first four games of the season, according to Pro Football Focus. Like Diggs, Elam is conceding a reception percentage north of 70% right now, per PFF, which has both of them down for three touchdowns allowed.
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Diggs was a first-team All-Pro in 2021. That’s when he broke out as the NFL’s interceptions leader.
Of his 11 interceptions that season, two were pick 6s.
Diggs signed a five-year, $97 million extension ahead of the 2023 season, which he missed most of because of a torn ACL. He’s been trying to return to Pro Bowl form since.
