Cowboys defense could get new starters sooner rather than later, as it’s set to get reinforcements without even signing anyone
The Dallas Cowboys defense could be shook up by players returning from injured lists as soon as Week 5.
The Dallas Cowboys are not happy with what they’ve got at cornerback. That much was made clear by Brian Schottenheimer’s staff when Trevon Diggs didn’t get the start last Sunday night in the team’s tie to the Green Bay Packers.
Instead, the Cowboys had DaRon Bland, Kaiir Elam, and Reddy Steward start, later rotating Diggs in. Though it remains unknown what the plan is moving forward, it’s clear everyone is being evaluated. And now, players eligible to return from Injured Reserve, PUP, or NFI could make things even more complicated.
With four games of the regular season down, the Cowboys can now activate cornerbacks Caelen Carson, Josh Butler, and third-round rookie Shavon Revel Jr.
On Monday, Schottenheimer told reporters Revel Jr. would be a part of the players the team would consider to activate. Caelen Carson said he hopes to return to practice this week, via Calvin Watkins. The Cowboys are able to start their 21-day practice windows without calling them up to the 53-man roster. However, if those 21 days pass and they don’t place them back on the roster, the players must go on season-ending IR, meaning the staff needs to be smart about when they kick things off.
Could any of the cornerbacks coming back from IR start for the Cowboys?
All bets are off for a Cowboys defense that ranks dead last in the NFL in EPA/play. All cornerbacks have been burnt at some point this season and no one should be considered “safe” four weeks into the season, as evidenced by Diggs not starting last weekend. So yes, don’t be surprised if any of these cornerbacks are given a chance sooner rather than later.
However, they’ll have to earn it on the practice field first. Carson and Revel Jr. are the likeliest candidates to fight for playing time right away. Carson, a second-year player who started Week 1 last season as a rookie, provides flexibility to play inside or outside, giving him a unique advantage. Meanwhile, rookie Revel Jr. was considered a first-round talent thanks to his potential as an outside cornerback. A knee injury that’s kept him from playing dropped him into the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Steward won’t make things easy for Carson in the slot because he’s played solid football so far. He’s shown physicality and good tackling both in the passing and run game. Considering he’s well-known by Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, Steward might have the inside track.
Whatever it is that happens, Schottenheimer will have what he wants at a position of need: Competition. But the first step is practice windows being opened. Let’s see whose are.
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