FRISCO, Texas – Great the Cowboys moved cornerback Trevon Diggs off the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP) to the regular roster.
That means he will be on the Cowboys' 53-man roster by Tuesday afternoon's deadline.
Great he actually went through his first football practice Monday afternoon, however light the practice was since the players were in shells, meaning the workout was just a mini-step above a walkthrough.
Great from what sounds as if he likely took a few snaps for the first time since back on Dec. 6, prior to actually playing in his last game of the season on Dec. 9 against Cincinnati before eventually being placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
But let's not get too carried away with thoughts of Diggs being ready to play on Sept. 4 against Philadelphia. Being on the 53-man roster makes him eligible to play in the NFL season opener that Thursday night in Philly, and sure sounds as if he is working hard to reach that possibility.
But let's be real for a moment.
The Cowboys realize between now and Sept. 4 they will only have one padded practice.
Since Diggs missed all the offseason with the Cowboys, remained on PUP throughout the entirety of training camp and did not participate in any of the three preseason games, ask even yourself, would he really be in tip-top shape to actually play in a game against the defending Super Bowl champs after one padded practice?
Maybe, but is that unrealistic? Is that smart from a health standpoint knowing there still will be 16 games to play, no matter if the Cowboys head home that Thursday night 1-0 or 0-1? Common sense must prevail.
Let Diggs himself address the subject when asked what will be his biggest challenge to get ready for an actual game.
"The conditioning, mainly" Diggs said without hesitation. "It's different working out with yourself than having to cover someone, chase someone, run after the ball. I feel like that's the main thing, so I got to make sure I'm always running to the ball, always running, doing extra gassers, doing all I can to be physically conditioned for the game itself."
Diggs, to his credit, after choosing not to do his rehab under the watchful eyes of the Cowboys' training staff following chondral bone-graft knee surgery, causing him to miss the entire offseason work, has spent training camp continuing his rehab and conditioning while working diligently getting ready to play.
That's good. So his conditioning to play like even 24 to 40 snaps in a game will determine his availability. If he needs more time, then so be it.
And this is likely something the Cowboys must consider: If Diggs is held out of the season opener, between now and Game 2 against the Giants on Sept. 14, that would give him a full three weeks to further his conditioning. Would give him at least two padded practices and six full practices, not counting the walk-through practices the day prior to those first two games.
Got to be smart.
"I think I need a couple more practices, just to see where I'm at going full speed at things," Diggs said. "I feel really, really good. … I don't know yet, but the more I practice, I'm going to stay here and continue to work and try to at least make the first game."
If not, here, though, is the benefit of Diggs being removed off PUP. He now will be eligible to participate in all the team activities, a benefit not available to those on reserve lists. That means he will be able to take practice snaps.
Plus, having a better idea of his eventual availability certainly will impact the Cowboys' decisions cutting the roster to 53 by 3 p.m. CDT on Tuesday. First, likely no need to go claim or sign a veteran cornerback, especially since corner Kaiir Elam has solidified a spot on the roster. Then, probably no need to carry too many extra cornerbacks on the 53. And if not wanting to take up room on the final roster, if the Cowboys think that extra cornerback or two can pass through waivers, those guys could be signed to the practice squad, where they can be elevated on game day if need be.
That is why Schottenheimer said during a conference call on Saturday when addressing Diggs' availability for the season opener, "Too early to say, but excited he has a chance to be out there and compete."
For more than one reason for sure.
