Dallas Cowboys Training Camp Update
OXNARD, Calif. – DaRon Bland returned to Cowboys practice on Monday. The cornerback missed the last four days as his significant other was having a baby. His return comes as the cornerback unit is dealing with the recovery of Trevon Diggs and Shavon Revel from knee injuries. Both are progressing in their rehab work. Meanwhile, Kaiir Elam has emerged as a possible starter opposite Bland until Diggs returns.
Elam has two interceptions in training camp. Bland doesn’t have any at this stage of camp — he’s only practiced twice — but the Cowboys know his value. In 2023, Bland led the NFL with nine interceptions and set a league record with five pick-sixes. He earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. But last season derailed everything for him. He played in just seven games as he struggled to recover from a toe injury suffered in training camp. He had a setback during his recovery last season before finally returning.
DaRon Bland’s Contract Situation
The 2022 fifth-round pick from Fresno State didn’t have any interceptions last season and had five pass breakups and a forced fumble. He now enters a contract year seeking a new deal. Bland said his agent has spoken with club officials about a contract, which is a positive sign for his future. In offseason work, Bland worked mainly in the slot and that seemed to bother him considering he was entering a contract year. Outside corners get paid in the NFL, as evidenced by the contract the Jets’ Sauce Gardner signed this summer with an NFL-high $30.1 million average for a player at his position.
Jourdan Lewis, a slot corner with the Cowboys, signed with Jacksonville this offseason, a three-year deal worth $30 million with $20 million guaranteed. So playing outside is where the money is. You can also ask Trevon Diggs this because he’s averaging $19.4 million per season. “Definitely Dallas is always where I want to be,” Bland said after Monday’s practice. “Hopefully we can get it done. They’ve been talks but I’m not going to talk about that really. My agent will talk about [it].”
Position Movement and Player Updates
The Cowboys welcomed the return of starting right tackle Terence Steele to the first team on Monday, but lost left tackle Tyler Guyton toward the back end of practice. The team also didn’t have backup guard Rob Jones, who is out two to three months with a broken bone in his neck. Bland returned to practice but didn’t participate much in team drills. Kaiir Elam and Troy Pride got work with the first team at outside corner as Andrew Booth left practice with a leg injury. The backup corners were Robert Rochell and Israel Mukuamu. Mukuamu was beaten on a long pass to George Pickens in practice.
The Cowboys are also mixing up their defensive tackles. Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas got first-team reps and that was also followed at times with Mazi Smith and Odighizuwa. Perrion Winfrey also lined up with Smith at defensive tackle. The first offensive play in team drills has KaVontae Turpin in the backfield.
Quarterback Statistics and Performance
Social media is mixed on quarterback statistics so we’ve decided to join the fray. In Monday’s session, Dak Prescott completed an unofficial total of 15 of 22 passes with a touchdown pass to Pickens. A majority of Prescott’s throws were underneath with a few deep throws. Coach Brian Schottenheimer said as training camp progresses, quarterbacks will throw more longer passes. “Those will begin to get added in as we go and usually the deep ball takes the longest,” he said.
Prescott was hurt by a couple of drops by Jalen Tolbert and Pickens. No. 2 quarterback Joe Milton took two sacks to end his reps for the day. He did complete eight of 10 passes overall. No. 3 Will Grier is getting more and more reps. He completed three of four passes on Monday. Late last week, Grier got just two snaps with the third team.
Notes and Things
Cornerback Caelen Carson (undisclosed), Trevon Diggs (knee), Micah Parsons (hold-in), Shavon Revel (knee), Josh Butler (knee), Kenneth Murray (baby), Deuce Vaughn (hamstring), Rob Jones (neck), Matt Waletzko (undisclosed), Parris Campbell (left knee) and Brevyn Spann-Ford (ankle) missed practice. Schottenheimer said Spann-Ford could miss a couple of weeks. Campbell, with an MCL sprain, is out an undetermined length of time. Cornerback Andrew Booth went into the medical tent after individual drills with a leg injury. He was stretching his leg with a trainer in the early stages of practice.
Prescott-Pickens connection strengthens: See photos from Cowboys’ Monday training camp practice in Oxnard
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Conclusion
The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for another exciting season, and with the return of DaRon Bland to practice, the team is looking stronger than ever. As the cornerback unit continues to deal with injuries, Bland’s presence will be crucial in the upcoming games. With his contract situation still up in the air, Bland is focused on proving his worth to the team and securing a new deal. The Cowboys are also experimenting with different position movements and player updates, which will be interesting to watch as the season progresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who returned to Cowboys practice on Monday?
A: DaRon Bland returned to Cowboys practice on Monday after missing the last four days due to the birth of his child.
Q: What is the status of Trevon Diggs’ injury?
A: Trevon Diggs is recovering from a knee injury and is progressing in his rehab work.
Q: Who has emerged as a possible starter opposite Bland until Diggs returns?
A: Kaiir Elam has emerged as a possible starter opposite Bland until Diggs returns.
Q: What is
