Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland suffered a right foot injury during Monday’s practice, and it could sideline him for a couple of weeks, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer.
Bland missed the first 10 games of last season with a stress fracture in his left foot.
Advertisement
At the end of August, the Cowboys extended Bland through the 2029 season with a deal that could reportedly earn him $92 million over four years, including $50 million guaranteed. The Sacramento State and Fresno State product was in the final year of his rookie contract. He now ranks sixth among all NFL cornerbacks in APY, according to Over the Cap.
Bland, a 2022 fifth-round pick, led the NFL in interceptions in 2023 while setting an NFL record for most pick 6s in a season.
DaRon Bland suffered an injury to his right foot that is expected to sideline him for several weeks. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
(Ryan Kang via Getty Images)
Bland played 24 of his 62 defensive snaps in the slot during a season-opening, 24-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Pro Football Focus. He missed three tackles but allowed only two catches for 11 yards, per PFF.
Advertisement
[Get more Cowboys news: Dallas team feed]
The stress fracture Bland suffered last year occurred during training camp. It required surgery with a projected recovery timeline that originally spanned 6-8 weeks.
He didn’t make his 2024 debut, however, until Week 12. He played in the Cowboys’ final seven games, piling up 41 total tackles, including 29 solos, and forcing one fumble. He defended five passes but didn’t intercept any, a season removed from him picking off nine passes and taking five back to the house.
Bland’s 2023 breakout season made him a first-team All-Pro and first-time Pro Bowler. In addition to serving up five defensive touchdowns, he gave up only 52 receptions — and just 3 touchdowns — on 93 targets that season, recording a career-best reception percentage allowed of 55.9%, per PFF.
Advertisement
After trading premier edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers last month, the Cowboys extended Bland.
Not only is Dallas playing without Parsons, but now it might have to play without Bland for a bit, too.
