Cowboys Defense Faces Another Setback as Trevon Diggs Enters Concussion Protocol
The Dallas Cowboys’ struggling defense encountered an unexpected challenge when Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs entered concussion protocol following what head coach Brian Schottenheimer described as an “accident” at home. The incident, which occurred Thursday night, will prevent Diggs from participating in Sunday’s critical divisional matchup against the Washington Commanders. This development represents another significant blow to a defensive unit already performing well below expectations this season, allowing a league-worst 411.7 yards per game and surrendering the second-highest point total at 30.7 points per contest. These defensive struggles have contributed heavily to the Cowboys’ disappointing 2-3-1 record, placing additional pressure on the team as they navigate an increasingly competitive NFC East division.
For Diggs personally, this setback continues a frustrating pattern of injuries that have disrupted his once-promising career trajectory. After establishing himself as an elite cornerback with first-team All-Pro honors in 2021 followed by his second Pro Bowl selection in 2022, Diggs has struggled to stay on the field and maintain his previous level of performance. He appeared in just two games during the 2023 campaign and missed six contests last season, severely limiting his impact. Even when available this year, Diggs hasn’t demonstrated the playmaking abilities that previously defined his game—he’s still searching for his first interception or defended pass of the season. Despite this performance decline, his absence removes a veteran presence from a defense desperately needing stability and leadership during a challenging stretch.
The timing of Diggs’ injury is particularly problematic as the Cowboys find themselves in what has become an unexpectedly competitive divisional race. The Philadelphia Eagles currently lead the NFC East with a 4-2 record as they pursue the distinction of becoming the division’s first repeat champion in two decades. However, the Washington Commanders have emerged as legitimate contenders at 3-3, while the New York Giants delivered a surprising upset victory over the Eagles last week to improve to 2-4. With the division appearing more balanced than anticipated, each game carries heightened significance, making the loss of a defensive starter for a divisional matchup all the more impactful for Dallas’s playoff aspirations.
The injury to Diggs highlights the broader defensive issues plaguing the Cowboys this season. What was expected to be a strength of the team has instead become their most glaring weakness, with opponents consistently moving the ball effectively against them both through the air and on the ground. The statistical rankings paint a bleak picture—allowing the most yards and nearly the most points per game—but the on-field performance has been equally concerning, with missed tackles, coverage breakdowns, and an inability to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Coordinator Mike Zimmer faces the challenging task of reshuffling his secondary without Diggs while attempting to address the fundamental problems that have led to this defensive collapse.
For the Cowboys organization and their passionate fanbase, this season has quickly transformed from one with Super Bowl aspirations to one filled with mounting frustration. After an offseason marked by contract disputes with key players and bold proclamations about championship expectations, the team’s performance has fallen well short of those lofty goals. The defense, once considered a unit capable of carrying the team through challenging stretches, has instead become a liability that places enormous pressure on quarterback Dak Prescott and the offense to engage in shootouts weekly. As injuries continue to accumulate and performance issues persist, questions about coaching decisions, roster construction, and organizational philosophy have grown increasingly pointed.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys must find ways to overcome these defensive challenges if they hope to salvage their season and remain competitive in the playoff race. Sunday’s game against Washington represents not just another divisional contest but a potential turning point that could either spark a midseason resurgence or accelerate a disappointing spiral. Without Diggs patrolling the secondary, younger players will need to step up against a Commanders offense that has shown surprising effectiveness under rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. How Dallas responds to this latest adversity will reveal much about the team’s resilience and may ultimately determine whether this season becomes one of redemption or regret. For Diggs, the focus shifts to recovery and potentially recapturing the form that once made him one of the league’s premier defensive playmakers.
