The Dallas Cowboys will have to wait at least another week for the return of cornerback Trevon Diggs. On Saturday, the team announced that Diggs would remain on injured reserve and will not participate in Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. The deadline for the Cowboys to activate Diggs from injured reserve is December 20, after which he will be sidelined for the remainder of the season if not added to the 53-man roster.
Despite expressing optimism about his return, Diggs was ultimately listed as out for the matchup against Minnesota. Following three limited practice sessions, he seemed hopeful about his chances of playing, stating his desire to rejoin the team. However, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer emphasized the importance of Diggs showing a consistent performance level before returning to the field.
“He’s still in the ramp-up period,” Schottenheimer explained earlier in the week. “I think he does feel healthy. I know he wants to play. But at the end of the day, we have to do what we think is in the best interest of not just him, but also the football team. And when you miss some time, there’s the ramp-up period. It is not just for your body, but for your mind and figuring out some of the defense, and there’s some new faces in the huddle and things like that.”
Diggs has been absent from game action since suffering a concussion in an accident at home, which led to his placement on injured reserve on October 25. Additionally, he has been recovering from knee issues, having undergone two surgeries on his left knee, the first being an operation to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in 2023, and the second involving a chondral tissue graft in January.
In the six games he has played this season, Diggs has recorded 20 tackles, one tackle for loss, and two quarterback pressures. However, he has yet to secure an interception or a pass deflection this year, a stark contrast to his prior performances—he was a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 and 2022, tallying 14 interceptions during that span, including 11 in the 2021 season.
The Cowboys, who signed Diggs to a lucrative five-year, $97 million extension in 2023, have faced challenges with his limited playing time, as he has participated in only 19 games since the agreement. As the team looks to maintain its defensive strength against the Vikings, they will have to do so without one of their key players for at least another week.
