Cowboys will be without star cornerback against Giants in home opener
Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday’s practice at The Star in Frisco with a foot injury, per the team’s practice report. He was seen in the team facility on Wednesday with a walking boot, according to two Star-Telegram sources.
Now, it is expected that Bland will miss the team’s home opener against the New York Giants with what is being described as a foot/ankle injury that occurred during practice Monday. His status after Week 2 remains in question.
Bland is fresh off of signing a four-year, $92 million extension days before the season began. Since being drafted in the fifth round in 2022, he has exceeded expectations by starting 31 games and recording 14 interceptions. His nine interceptions and five pick-sixes in 2023 were the most in the NFL, helping him earn first-team All-Pro honors in just his second season.
However, last season Bland missed the first 10 games of the season after suffering a bone fracture in his foot. Bland said it was the first time he had been injured in his career to the point of missing games. He returned for the final seven contests and did not record an interception.
The injury comes at an inopportune time for a cornerback room that is still ramping Trevon Diggs back up to full speed after his offseason knee surgery. While Diggs played 26 snaps in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, the team is still being patient in getting him back on the field full-time.
In Bland’s place, the Cowboys will have to decide on starting the newly acquired Reddy Steward, who has just one game of NFL experience, or elevating Zion Childress from the practice squad for his NFL debut. Either option would put more pressure on Diggs and the rest of the secondary to be at full strength.
Also on the injury report, safety Malik Hooker was listed as limited with a foot injury that kept him out of Monday’s practice. He is still expected to play Sunday, barring any setbacks.
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 5:22 PM.
