The Dallas Cowboys will start the regular season without a key defensive player. The team announced on Saturday Star cornerback DaRon Bland will miss significant time with an injury suffered last week in training camp.
With Trevon Diggs back from an ACL injury, Bland’s loss leaves a void in an already questionable Dallas defense. The Pro Bowler will be forced to watch from the sidelines as another member of his cornerback room tries to fill in for him for now.
Here’s everything you need to know about Bland’s injury, including an update on the Cowboys All-Pro cornerback’s foot issue that will cost him several weeks after surgery.
DaRon Bland Injury Update
The Cowboys announced Saturday: “DaRon Bland experienced discomfort in his foot last Wednesday during training camp in Oxnard. Subsequent imaging revealed a stress fracture in his foot.”
Bland, who led the league with nine interceptions last year, will have to undergo surgery for his injury. The news isn’t what Dallas fans were hoping to hear before the team’s final preseason game against the Chargers, but there is hope he can return during the regular season.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: 2024 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet
When will DaRon Bland return?
Additionally, the team expects Bland to be sidelined for six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery for a stress fracture. While he’ll certainly miss the first half of the regular season, it’s possible Bland could be back with the first team in about two months.
Cowboys CB Depth Chart
Possible replacements for Bland who are already on the Cowboys roster include veteran CJ Goodwin and rookie Caelen Carson. Goodwin played just five games for Dallas last season, but he has been a consistent contributor to the team’s defense since 2019.
Carson has yet to be tested after being selected out of Wake Forest in the fifth round of the 2024 draft by Dallas. He had 42 total tackles in 11 games during his junior season before turning pro. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that the team also has time to trade for someone to fill Bland’s spot or sign a free agent before Week 1.
Here’s a look at the most recent version of the Cowboys depth chart.
| Position | First of all | Second | Third |
| Cornerback | Trevon Diggs | CJ Goodwin | Eric Scott Jr. |
| Nickel back corner | Jourdan Lewis | Kemon Room | Josh De Berry |
| Cornerback | DaRon Bland | Caelen Carson | Josh Butler |
