Good news has been hard to come by for Dallas Cowboys fans this season. It seems that whenever the team takes a step forward – like their gritty win over the Steelers in Week 5 – they take two steps back.
They have since lost back-to-back games in blowout fashion.
It has been a rollercoaster season and the Cowboys’ impossibly long injury list has only compounded their inconsistent play.
Just as the Cowboys activated DaRon Bland off injured reserve on Wednesday, word spread that Trevon Diggs is battling an undisclosed injury. Diggs did not practice and his status for Sunday’s game against the Falcons is unknown.
Diggs told reporters he’s dealing with calf tightness. While Diggs did not sound overly concerned about the injury, calf injuries are nothing to be trifled with.
Cowboys star CB Trevon Diggs dealing with calf injury before Week 9
“It was a little sore coming out of the game,” said Diggs, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “Probably one of the plays I got hit or something. I’m getting treatment and working through it.”
The severity of Diggs’ injury is unknown, but calf injuries are extremely tricky. Not only do they carry a significant risk of re-injury, but they often coincide with Achilles injuries.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles four plays into last season after battling calf tightness throughout training camp. Similarly, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has not played this season due to Achilles tendinitis in both of his legs. McCaffrey initially had a calf injury in training camp but it evolved into an Achilles issue.
Those are extreme examples, but they underline the volatile nature of calf injuries. The Cowboys need to be careful with Diggs. A subtle wrong movement can turn soreness into a strain and suddenly Diggs is on injured reserve.
Maybe Diggs plays on Sunday, but Cowboys fans should not overlook the injury just because he downplayed it to the media.
Diggs’ absence from practice makes Bland’s potential return all the more important. While Bland didn’t practice on Wednesday, Mike McCarthy is optimistic the All-Pro cornerback will practice Thursday. Had Bland not been activated, he would have been out for the season.
With Micah Parsons trending toward not playing and DeMarcus Lawrence and Marshawn Kneeland still on IR, the Cowboys need at least one of Diggs or Bland out there on Sunday to contend with a high-octane Falcons passing attack.
Ideally, both CBs play but this update on Diggs is less than promising.
