As much as it pains to fully accept it, the Dallas Cowboys will be without cornerback Trevon Diggs for the rest of the 2023 NFL season.

Understandably, fans might be in their feels regarding the heartbreaking news. And yet, fall is unforgiving. The game is unforgiving. After all, a game is played on Sunday and there will be 15 more after that. The Cowboys hope to make that 18 with a Super Bowl run. 

In other words, what's next for the Cowboys at cornerback?

Many would be quick to pull up their phones to google the best remaining free agents or scan through losing teams' rosters seeking a trade partner. The reality, however, is the Cowboys have had a plan in place for a while and the replacement for Diggs is already on the team.

It's second-year cornerback DaRon Bland. 

In his young career, Bland has shown the ability to play inside and outside. He's been commanding the nickel spot since last year but he's been expected to be the "next man up" at the outside cornerback position since the offseason. Cowboys insider Jane Slater recently confirmed that's the team's plan. 

That in turn means the veteran Jourdan Lewis becomes the man to watch in the slot moving forward. This is the same player the Cowboys had started at that spot since 2020 before he had to have season-ending foot surgery last year. That would mean this would be the starting secondary for Dallas:

• CB: Stephon Gilmore
• CB: DaRon Bland
• Nickel CB: Jourdan Lewis

When the Cowboys traded for Stephon Gilmore back in March, the idea was for him to play alongside Diggs for the entire year. But today's brutal news is a reminder of how important signing him really was. Without him, Diggs' injury could have the potential to sink the defensive performance. Having Gilmore on one side of the field really gives the Cowboys hopes of retaining their defensive success tied to the league's best pass rush. 

As for depth, the Cowboys also have versatile DB Israel Mukuamu, who was surprisingly solid at nickel when shoved into action in last year's playoffs versus Chris Godwin and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Having an elite safety room like the Cowboys do, especially with their tendency to use dime personnel and have three safeties on the field, will go a long way in making up for Diggs' absence, as well. 

Dan Quinn has earned every penny since he arrived in 2021. Now, he gets another chance to prove exactly what he's capable of with the talent he gets to work with every weekend.

Trevon Diggs wasn’t the only Cowboys starter injured on Thursday’s practice

The Cowboys are taking hits.

Featured image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports