Cowboys have clearly challenged Trevon Diggs, and it doesn’t seem he’s answered
After cornerback Trevon Diggs suffered a mystery concussion in an at-home incident on Oct. 16 and was put on the injured reserve list 10 days later, it was rightfully put into question if he would ever play again for the Dallas Cowboys.
In training camp, the front office was open about what it wanted from Diggs. After Diggs didn’t show up for at least 84 percent of offseason activities and was docked half-a-million dollars from his 2025 salary as a result, owner and general manager Jerry Jones challenged him by saying he wants to see him leading more.
A little more than three months later, a lot of the same rhetoric is being regurgitated about Diggs’ antics behind the scenes and what the team wants from him moving forward. Since having his 21-day practice window opened on Nov. 30, he has not yet crossed the thresholds needed to make his return off injured reserve.
And based off head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s comments on Wednesday, it seems as though there are some things left to be done.
“When you miss time, there’s a ramp-up period for not just your body, but your mind — figuring out the defense, and there are some new faces in the huddle,” Schottenheimer said. “I love him as a player, but ultimately he’s got to show us that he’s ready to do everything the right way.”
Even after a game that saw the Cowboys’ defense give up 44 points and 299 passing yards to the Detroit Lions, the need for Diggs is still not at a point where they would put him on the field and sacrifice the standard set by Schottenheimer throughout the season of competing every day and doing the little things right.
While the runway is being laid for him to return this season, it sounds like it will ultimately be up to his decision-making if he actually does see the field in the team’s final four regular-season contests.
“He’s still in the ramp-up period,” Schottenheimer said. “He does feel healthy, I know he wants to play. But at the end of the day, we have to do what we think is in the best interest of not just him, but also the football team.”
Time is running out for Diggs. Ahead of an offseason where seeing the Cowboys move on from him is almost a foregone conclusion, these final four weeks could be critical in determining how soft or hard his next landing spot will be.
If he puts out good tape, there will be teams wanting his services at a premium price. If he doesn’t touch the field, then he will only carry the controversy he has built for himself in Dallas to whatever team takes him next.
The challenges set in front of him by the franchise have clearly not been met, but can he find one last spark to revitalize his career before his ending is written by the cloud of chaos he has stormed together? Returning to the field before the closure of his 21-day window on Dec. 21 will determine that outcome.
As of now, consider it in doubt.
This story was originally published December 10, 2025 at 5:02 PM.
