Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland is expected to be activated from injured reserve on Wednesday, according to WFAA’s Ed Werder. The activation is a go, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz tweets.
Dallas opened Bland’s 21-day practice window on October 9, so he will need to 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 its active roster, so they will need to clear two spots to open space for Bland’s activation.
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It’s never been harder to be a cowboys fan. 29 years since their last Super Bowl and the worst GM in professional sports. I need a drink 🙁
I’m right there with you and I find myself wondering if it’s even worth being a fan anymore. To me it’s not about Super Bowls because let’s face it, Dallas isn’t going to sniff one for the foreseeable future, it’s about how they keep doing the same thing over and over with different faces and expecting lightning in a bottle while we keep feeding the machine. I think I’m done and might follow a team that actually TRIES to make something happen.
It’s just sad how far out of touch Jerry Jones is which makes it hard to be a fan. I still can’t get over the running back decisions were made. I don’t think anyone in the world except for Jerry and Stephen Jones thought Zeke had anything left. It’s really telling that the cowboys are dead last in rushing this season. Way to make great choices Jerry, then the all in comment, the threatening to fire the radio hosts for not drinking his kool aid. It’s all about the money for Jerry Jones and us fans just have to deal with it. The 9ers game was the first game I’ve watched all year, 21-0 in the 3rd quarter.. enough said
You’re on the money and you haven’t missed anything if that’s the first game you’ve watched. Throw a dart at the “same old crap” board and you’ll be all caught up.
Carson will go through his growing pains but may take over for Diggs in the future. Bland could be the shot in the arm the team needs.