Cowboys might have a new starter on defense that no one was talking about, battle brewing with rookie
The Dallas Cowboys have a battle brewing at cornerback.
The Dallas Cowboys defense is going through changes. Heading into Week 11, a lot was made about the arrivals of DT Quinnen Williams and LB Logan Wilson, who were acquired at the NFL trade deadline. Additionally, there was plenty of talk about LB DeMarvion Overshown, CB Shavon Revel Jr., and even S Malik Hooker returning from injury.
All of them saw significant playing time on Monday’s 33-16 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. And yet, it was another defender starting whose snap count stole the show: Cornerback Caelen Carson.
Carson, the second-year cornerback out of Wake Forest, played 100% of the defensive snaps on Monday. He was the only Cowboys defender to play every defensive snap. Carson’s 60 snaps were a huge rise from his previous games since being activated to the 53-man roster.
He started the year on PUP and missed the first six weeks of the season. Carson played special teams exclusively during his first two weeks back, logging zero defensive snaps. In Week 9, he played 28 snaps for a 42% snap count.
As for how he played, the film will tell the details, but he was physical tackling and logged two pass deflections. If the film backs up what we saw in the broadcast, however, Carson could be in a position to keep starting for the Cowboys’ defense.
Carson and Shavon Revel Jr. poised to compete for starting CB role
The Cowboys’ cornerback room has been a difficult mystery to unravel. With Trevon Diggs on IR, we’ve seen the likes of Kaiir Elam, Trikweze Bridges, and Reddy Steward start. The latter two weren’t even on the team during the preseason. But there’s one thing we’ve learned.
DaRon Bland’s versatility will be used by DC Matt Eberflus. Though there appears to be a clear preference to play Bland outside, he has logged 161 snaps in the slot this season. Playing him at nickel has been more of a matchup-based decision. Whenever he’s there, the Cowboys could continue to play Carson outside and likely pair him with third-round rookie Revel Jr., who debuted with a 32% snap count but is expected to see an increased workload as he eases back into football.
When Bland is outside, Carson and Revel Jr. could be fighting for snaps. It should be a fun matchup as the Cowboys’ defense looks to build upon its best performance of the year. Monday’s win was the first time this season Dallas allowed under 20 points.
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A controversial decision, for sure.
