Activating Trevon Diggs from Injured Reserve will put Cowboys’ back against the wall due to NFL rules, but it’s needed

The Dallas Cowboys are likely to get Trevon Diggs back this week.

Mauricio Rodriguez — Dallas Cowboys News Writer
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Oct 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys Owner, President and general manager Jerry Jones with cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) on the field prior to a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Oct 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys Owner, President and general manager Jerry Jones with cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) on the field prior to a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys are expected to treat Thursday Night Football against the Detroit Lions as the target day for Trevon Diggs’ return from Injured Reserve after he practiced on Sunday. Diggs, an All-Pro cornerback, has missed the last six games with an injury to his knee opposite the one that kept him out of most of the offseason program.

Diggs’ expected return is great news for the Cowboys. Even if not tasked with a starting role as soon as he’s back, he will provide depth for a cornerback room that badly needs it. Not to mention, since he’s been out, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has called more man coverages, which is largely considered Diggs’ biggest strength.

Though positive, the pending move will put the Cowboys in a pressing situation with roster management. That’s because once Diggs is activated, the front office can only activate one more player off of Injured Reserve.

Diggs to be second to last IR return for Cowboys in 2025

Per NFL rules, teams can place as many players as they wish on Injured Reserve. However, they can designate only eight players per season. Diggs would be the Cowboys’ seventh return from IR this season.

The good news? The Cowboys don’t appear to be waiting on anyone to come back. The biggest names on the list include seventh-round rookie running back Phil Mafah, who has been reported to be ready to go in terms of health.

In other words, the Cowboys can save that last designation to return to adapt to any injuries that may come.

Additionally, if the Cowboys make the playoffs, the limit increases to 10 players designated to return to account for the extra game(s). For now, the good news is you can expect Diggs back on the field as early as this week, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

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