Throughout the first two games of the 2023 NFL season, the stingy defensive unit for the Dallas Cowboys has allowed just ten points. With a star-studded lineup that features Micah Parsons, the frontrunner for the Defensive Player of the Year Award, along with 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Award winner Stephon Gilmore and three-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Lawrence, the Cowboys were starting to draw early comparisons to the '85 Bears. The team's undefeated start had many pundits circling their week five matchup against the unbeaten San Francisco 49ers as a barometer to measure two of the most elite teams in the NFC. Unfortunately, one of the Cowboys' brightest stars will not be available for a potential Super Bowl run this year.
On Thursday, Trevon Diggs, a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback for "America's Team," suffered a torn ACL during one-on-one drills in practice. The 25-year-old signed a five-year, $97 million contract extension with the Cowboys in July. Now, he is expected to miss the entire season. Diggs played an essential role in the Cowboys' defensive backfield opposite Stephon Gilmore. The pair of cornerbacks were assembled to match up with the top wide receiver tandems in the NFC, such as Deboo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk of the 49ers, as well as A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith of the Philadelphia Eagles. The devastating loss of Diggs leaves a gaping hole in a Cowboys defense that currently ranks #1 in yards allowed, turnovers, and sacks. To put into perspective just how good Trevon Diggs has been for the Dallas Cowboys, this season, he has only allowed three catches for 31 yards. Opposing quarterbacks who have attempted to complete a pass to a wide receiver guarded by Diggs have a collective passer rating of 9.9. Additionally, Diggs leads the league with 18 interceptions since being selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Source: Twitter
