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The Cowboys are gambling their entire season to keep an injured star in the starting lineup

The Dallas Cowboys’ defensive backfield has been the talk of the NFL preseason, and the buzz isn’t dying down as the team faces tough decisions to finalize its 53-man roster. With the regular season looming, the spotlight is on All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs, whose health could shape the Cowboys’ fortunes in 2025. Alongside him, young talents like third-round draft pick Shavon Revel and the injury-prone Caelen Carson hang in the balance, with potential stints on the physically unable to perform (PUP) or non-football injury (NFI) lists threatening to sideline them for the first month of the season.

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs on the field before the game against the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium.
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs on the field before the game against the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium.
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs on the field before the game against the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium.

Such designations would force players to miss at least four games, creating opportunities for bubble players to secure a roster spot. Yet, in a bold move, the Cowboys are leaning toward keeping Diggs on the active roster, even if he’s not ready for Week 1. This high-stakes gamble could either solidify their defense or expose cracks in an already shaky secondary.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer recently shared an optimistic update after Dallas wrapped up its preseason schedule. Despite Diggs’ uncertain status for the season opener, Schottenheimer expressed confidence that the star cornerback will avoid the PUP list and join the 53-man roster. “I believe Trevon Diggs will be on the 53-man roster to start the season, not PUP,” ESPN’s Todd Archer reported Schottenheimer saying on X, adding that the coach hopes Diggs can return to practice this week. The timeline suggests a possible Week 2 or Week 3 debut, a critical boost for a Cowboys secondary that has struggled mightily in preseason play.

Diggs’ return could be a game-changer. As an All-Pro talent, his ability to lock down receivers and create turnovers is unmatched on the roster. However, keeping him active comes at a cost. With roster spots at a premium, prioritizing an injured star might mean cutting a fan-favorite player fighting for a chance to shine. The Cowboys’ secondary has already shown vulnerabilities, and gambling on Diggs’ recovery could either pay off spectacularly or leave the team scrambling early in the season.

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