Cowboys All-Pro CB benched amid secondary shuffle to spark defense

The Dallas Cowboys benched an All-Pro CB as they look to fix their defense in Week 4.

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs takes the field to play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus said there could be some big changes on defense this week as his unit looked to get back on track.

Most expected those changes to be scheme-centric, but Eberflus also mentioned personnel moves. As the team's showdown with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football neared its start, we learned that wasn't just lip service.

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Eberflus made a big move as he plans to start DaRon Bland, Kaiir Elam, and Reddy Stewart at cornerback. That means All-Pro Trevon Diggs will be on the bench to start the game.

Brian Schottenheimer hinted at some big defensive changes this week, here is part of it:

Cowboys are rolling with DaRon Bland, Kaiir Elam and Reddy Steward today at cornerback.

Trevon Diggs will rotate in, but will not start.

Per Kristi Scales on @1053thefan

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) September 28, 2025

Diggs has struggled this season, surrendering multiple big plays in the passing game. While it's been frustrating to watch, it's fair to ask if his knee is giving him issues.

In 2023, Diggs suffered a torn ACL ahead of Week 3 and missed the rest of the season. His 2024 campaign was also cut short due to a knee injury, leading to surgery for the second year straight.

It was a surprise to see Diggs back in Week 1 this season, but perhaps he wasn't 100 percent ready to return to the field. Working him into the rotation with more caution could help him as much as the defense.

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers makes a catch for a touchdown against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

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