The Dallas Cowboys managed to get a rare tie in Sunday night’s game at the much-favored Green Bay Packers, despite many counting out their chances beforehand.
Granted, ties give out much more of a “both teams lost”, than “both teams won” vibe, but irregardless, the team should be happy with their performance in 40-40 stalemate.
One question that arose after the game, however, is why All-Pro cornerback, Trevon Diggs, did not start alongside fellow All-Pro, DaRon Bland – who, like Diggs, was dealing with injury in recent weeks – despite getting numerous reps inside the game.
Head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, addressed this in his Monday morning press availability, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota.
Schottenheimer And Diggs Both Discuss Him Not Starting Week 4 Game
When asked about the reasons behind not playing arguably the most able player in the entire secondary, Schottenheimer pointed to both the former second round pick’s health and some past consistency issues on the field.
“We’re talented. He’s been banged up a little bit.” Schottenheimer said to the media on Monday. “I’ve been a little tough on Trevon, just in terms of the consistency and things like that. But, man, I thought he played really well. I’m proud of him. It’s a similar type thing with other guys. I mean, it wasn’t just us picking on Trevon. Trevon is a hell of a player. Trevon is a huge part of what we’re trying to do.”
And it turns out that this plan to not start Diggs was did pre-discussed and pre-meditated before the game, as ex Alabama standout was caught off guard by not being in the starting lineup.
“Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs when asked if he didn’t start last night because of a health situation and if he was surprised by that”, Machota wrote on X – before quoting Diggs, “Yeah, maybe, a little bit. A little bit. A little bit. A little bit.”
What Is the Future Of Trevon Diggs With The Cowboys?
Owner, Jerry Jones, also weighed in on the situation, claiming that it must have essentially been entirely about Diggs’ health, as they are not looking to set him aside to develop younger players on the back end of the roster.
“Jerry Jones when asked if Diggs’ usage in the game was more about his health or moving on to playing other guys”, Machota’s post continued, as he noted Jones’ words, “There’s no moving on to other guys. So, it had to be reps regarding health or that type thing. … I’m pleased with how Diggs played.”
Diggs is currently the starting perimeter cornerback in Dallas, opposite offseason trade acquisition, Kair Elam, who was bought in from the Buffalo Bills.
After two excellent seasons in 2021 and 2022, the Cowboys signed him to a 5 year, $97 extension. However, Diggs has caught the injury bug in the two subsequent years, managing just 13 starts out of a possible 34 in that time frame.
Diggs is owed $18 million and can be cut for a dead cap of just $5 million, leaving many to speculate that his time in Dallas could be numbered. But for now, he remains on the team, and health-permitting, it would seem he is very much the starter.