Credit: AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs participated in a full practice on Wednesday for the first time since tearing his ACL on September 21, 2023.
Recovery Progress
Diggs suffered the injury during a practice ahead of the Cowboys’ third regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals. The injury required surgery, and Diggs spent the remainder of the season on injured reserve. He started this year’s training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list but gradually returned to limited on-field drills over the past two weeks.
His first full practice took place during a joint scrimmage with the Los Angeles Rams.
“It felt good getting back in, moving around, other players flying around, getting adjusted to bodies near me,” Diggs said. “I had a lot of great work in today.”
Key Moments in Diggs’ Return
During a two-minute drill, Diggs appeared to intercept Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo on a sideline pass, but officials ruled him out of bounds. Diggs confidently remarked after practice that a replay challenge in a game would have reversed the call in his favor.
“Of course, he immediately makes a play on the ball,” executive vice president Stephen Jones said. “He’s gifted getting the ball.”
Diggs’ Confidence Ahead of Season Opener
Diggs led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 2021, earning him first-team All-Pro honors. He was also named to the Pro Bowl in both 2021 and 2022. While he won’t participate in the preseason, Diggs expressed confidence that the practice reps will prepare him for the Cowboys’ season opener against the Cleveland Browns on September 8.
“The season is in what, four weeks?” he said. “It’s about time to get going. It’s going to go fast. We’re here [in California] for another seven days. The season’s about to start. I’ve got to be prepared for that. This is the only way I can be prepared for that.”
Diggs said he trusts his surgically repaired knee but admitted that Wednesday’s practice “kind of felt like my first game when I was a rookie. That was good.”
Defensive Duo Ready
In Diggs’ absence last season, DaRon Bland led the NFL with nine interceptions, setting a record by returning five of them for touchdowns.
“I hope they continue to throw balls at us so we can make plays,” Diggs said. “Hope it doesn’t change because we’ve got two ball hawks on each side. We’ll see what happens.”
This report used information from ESPN.
