FRISCO, Texas – Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs has passed his physical and has moved off the physically unable to perform list and onto the team's active roster.
Diggs, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last season, was placed on PUP at the start of training camp in Oxnard. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said on Saturday that he expects Diggs to be on the 53-man roster and could be on the practice field ramping up as early as this week.
"I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about how hard Trevon's been working," Schottenheimer said. "He's doing an incredible job with Britt [Brown]. These things don't happen if he's not putting in the time and the effort to do the stuff that he's been doing. Really proud of him."
While Diggs passing his physical is a good sign, it's not a sure-fire confirmation he will play Week 1 against Philadelphia. That said, it is a step in the right direction for that scenario being a realistic possibility.
With the Cowboys' cornerback room lacking depth because of widespread injuries dating back to last season, Diggs' return whenever it may be is a more than welcome sign for Dallas. It's especially welcome considering Diggs received surgery on his knee just seven months ago.
If Diggs does in fact start on the 53-man roster, it's even better not having him on injured reserve, which would sideline him for at least four weeks. That means Diggs' return any time within the first four weeks would likely be in the picture, barring any setbacks.
In his absence, the Cowboys have played musical chairs throughout the offseason and training camp at cornerback, with Kaiir Elam turning heads and likely earning a starting spot on the outside opposite DaRon Bland, if he does start outside that is.
Bland has also played some in the slot, which could mean Andrew Booth starting opposite Elam if the Cowboys don't feel confident in a nickel corner currently on the roster until Diggs comes back.
Regardless, Diggs' imminent return now gives Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus another option for what he wants his secondary to look like. In the preseason, the Cowboys had five interceptions as a unit over the course of three games, as Eberflus has placed a large emphasis on taking the ball away.
Adding a ball hawk like Diggs, who has 20 career interceptions, will only help matters and serve as a sigh of relief for Dallas' defense knowing that help is on the way.
