FRISCO, Texas – After missing the first five games of the season with a stress fracture in his foot, cornerback DaRon Bland has a chance to make his 2024 season debut on Sunday against the Lions.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Bland could have at least a limited role when the team faces Detroit this Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
“I think DaRon Bland has a real chance…I don’t know if he’s going to play the whole game, but I think he’s ready to start throwing it into the mix,” Jones said Tuesday. “Absent a real setback, DaRon should be ready to put on the uniform and help us on the defensive side of the ball and in the secondary.”
Bland, who led the NFL in interceptions last season with nine, including a single-season record of five interceptions for touchdowns, suffered the injury two weeks before the start of the season. The Cowboys placed Bland on injured reserve, meaning he was forced to miss the first four games of the season. He wasn’t ready to return last week against the Steelers, but that could change Sunday against Detroit.
The Lions have a passing attack that includes Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta.
In Bland’s absence, the Cowboys have started different cornerbacks in all five games. Rookie Caelen Carson started the first three games before suffering a shoulder injury. Over the last two weeks, Andrew Booth and Amani Oruwariye have been starters on the other side of Trevon Diggs.
