For the Cowboys, not having one of the team’s most expensive defensive players on the field for the Week 8 matchup in Denver is surely a bad thing. Right?
Well, yes and no. Of course, the Cowboys would like a full, healthy version of cornerback Trevon Diggs to be lined up against a team like the Broncos–who are 5-2 and winners of four straight games–as Dallas seeks to capitalize on the momentum gained from the 44-22 drubbing of the Commanders in Week 7.
The problem is, Diggs did not play in that game against Washington, having gone out with a mysterious concussion he suffered in his house a week ago. And without Diggs, the Cowboys had one of their better defensive days this season, forcing two turnovers for the first time this year and holding Washington to 341 yards and a season-low 18 first downs.
Diggs has not practiced this week, still hampered by concussion symptoms. And on Friday, the team ruled he won’t be on the field on Sunday in Week 8.
Trevon Diggs Officially Ruled Out
Also not playing on Sunday is safety Donovan Wilson, who has struggled badly this season, too. Wrote Jon Machota of The Athletic on Twitter/X on Friday:
“Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs (concussion/knee) has been officially ruled out for Sunday in Denver. Safety Donovan Wilson has also been ruled out. Center Cooper Beebe, LT Tyler Guyton are questionable.”
Wilson is the No. 78 ranked safety in Pro Football Focus’ list of grades this season, out of 84 total safeties in the NFL. Diggs is the No. 63 cornerback, out of 112.
Cowboys Played Best D in Week 7
Despite Diggs’ struggles this year, there is some irony in him being out just now. That’s because Diggs has been the most outspoken critic within the team of the defense being run by defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, whose zone-heavy coverage tamped down the effectiveness of Diggs and fellow star corner DaRon Bland.
Diggs was asked three weeks ago whether the Cowboys should run more man and he responded, “Yeah. Yeah.”
He described playing in Eberflus’s defense as, “Being comfortable being uncomfortable. One of those type things.”
But Eberflus and the Cowboys went to far more man coverage in Week 7 against Washington, running it nearly half the time (after having done so only about 10% of the time before the Washington game). And Diggs was not there to take advantage.
Cowboys Won’t ‘Dwell’ on Trevon Diggs
He won’t be there on Sunday, either. The Cowboys had been expressing confidence that he would be back for Week 8, but concussions can be unpredictable. Especially Diggs’ concussion, which was the subject of speculation because it did not happen on the field.
Team owner Jerry Jones said he was not planning to “dwell” on Diggs’s situation anymore.
“There’s no reason to dwell on it anymore,” Jones said. “What we did see is we played pretty well out there. So I don’t know the status of Diggs as we move forward, but I feel better about being able to play if we don’t have him out there.”
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