The Dallas Cowboys are limping into their Week 7 showdown with the Washington Commanders, battered by injuries but buoyed by a glimmer of hope on the defensive front. In a season already teetering on the edge, the Cowboys received a much-needed boost with the activation of second-year cornerback Caelen Carson from Injured Reserve (IR) on Saturday, as reported by Aaron Wilson. The former fifth-round pick out of Wake Forest is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, but his return could be a lifeline for a defense reeling from the loss of star cornerback Trevon Diggs.
In a cruel twist of fate, Diggs was ruled out for the Commanders game after a bizarre accident at his home on Thursday landed him in the concussion protocol, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer, speaking at his Friday press conference, admitted he lacked details on the incident but confirmed Diggs was under evaluation by the team’s medical staff. With the star corner sidelined, the Cowboys’ secondary suddenly faces a glaring void against a Commanders offense that’s no slouch.
Enter Caelen Carson, a 2024 fifth-rounder who showed flashes of promise as a rookie. In six games last season, Carson racked up 27 tackles and four passes defensed, stepping up as a starter late in the year when injuries decimated Dallas’ cornerback corps. His 2025 campaign, however, hit a snag before it even began. A hyperextended knee in training camp relegated him to IR, but now, with his activation, Carson has a chance to make his season debut at a critical moment. Whether he takes the field Sunday or needs another week, his return injects fresh energy into a beleaguered unit.
The Cowboys’ 2025 season has been a war of attrition. Beyond Diggs’ absence, the team is grappling with a laundry list of injuries that would test even the deepest rosters. Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, sidelined for weeks with a high-ankle sprain, is slated to return against the Commanders, offering a spark for the offense. But the injury bug has bitten hard elsewhere. Starting center Cooper Beebe, safety Malik Hooker, wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey, and edge defender Payton Turner all languish on IR. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and rookie cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. are still awaiting their season debuts, both recovering from serious injuries sustained last year.
Even those still suiting up haven’t escaped the grind. Cornerback DaRon Bland, left tackle Tyler Guyton, wide receiver KaVontae Turpin, right guard Tyler Booker, and edge defender Marshawn Kneeland have all been nicked up at various points, with some missing games entirely. For a team already facing scrutiny over roster construction, this rash of injuries has only amplified the pressure.
To say the Cowboys’ season has been rocky would be an understatement. A gut-wrenching loss to Philadelphia in Week 1 set the tone, followed by a hard-fought overtime win against the Giants. Since then, however, Dallas has stumbled, dropping three of their last four games, including deflating losses to the Panthers and Bears. A gritty tie against the Packers in Week 4 offered a flicker of resilience, but wins have been elusive for this squad.
With a brutal stretch looming—matchups against the Commanders, Broncos, and Cardinals await—the Cowboys are staring down a make-or-break moment. At 2-4, their playoff hopes hang by a thread, and the margin for error is razor-thin. Can they rally, or will the weight of injuries and inconsistency prove too much?
Carson’s return, while not a cure-all, offers a chance for the Cowboys to stabilize their secondary. The 23-year-old’s grit and playmaking ability could help fill the void left by Diggs, whose absence is expected to be short-term. Meanwhile, Lamb’s return bolsters an offense desperate for a spark. But for Dallas to turn their season around, they’ll need more than individual heroics. They’ll need to weather the storm, harness their depth, and find a way to string together wins against a daunting schedule.
As the Cowboys prepare to face the Commanders, all eyes will be on Carson and the rest of this battle-tested roster. In the NFL’s unforgiving gauntlet, it’s sink or swim—and Dallas is diving in headfirst.