By Moses Joshua 
As injuries continue to test Dallas’ secondary, the Cowboys will again be without star cornerback Trevon Diggs for their critical Week 14 clash at Ford Field.
Another Key Absence Confirmed for Dallas
The Dallas Cowboys will take the field Thursday night without one of their most recognizable defensive stars. As they prepare for a high-stakes matchup against the Detroit Lions to open Week 14, the team officially ruled out two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs, who continues to recover from a lingering knee injury.
Diggs has now missed six consecutive games after being placed on injured reserve. Although he has been designated to return and is currently within his 21-day practice window, Dallas has made it clear that his comeback won’t come just yet. The decision removes any lingering doubt about his availability for a crucial road game inside Ford Field.
Detroit, meanwhile, is dealing with its own injury concerns, as star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown enters the contest listed as questionable due to an ankle issue—setting the stage for a game where health could shape the outcome on both sides.
Defense Finds New Identity Without Diggs
Interestingly, Dallas’ defense has undergone a dramatic transformation during Diggs’ absence. After sputtering early in the season, the unit has found renewed energy and consistency during the Cowboys’ three-game winning streak.
Much of that turnaround stems from major changes in the front seven. The additions of defensive lineman Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson, combined with the return of linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, have reshaped the tone and physicality of the defense. The Cowboys are pressuring quarterbacks more effectively, closing rushing lanes faster, and forcing opponents into uncomfortable situations.
While Diggs’ absence is significant from a name and experience standpoint, Dallas has found ways to stabilize the secondary through scheme adjustments and improved pressure up front.
A Different Version of Diggs This Season
Diggs’ 2025 campaign had already been a quieter one before the injury shut him down. He started four of the six games he appeared in and collected 18 total tackles, 13 of them solo. However, his trademark ball-hawking presence was noticeably reduced, raising questions about how much the knee issue may have affected his performance long before he was sidelined.
Now, as the Cowboys cautiously manage his return, the focus remains on long-term health rather than rushing him back into action during a compressed playoff push.
Next Man Up in the Secondary
With Diggs unavailable, Dallas has leaned more heavily on rookie cornerback Shavon Revel, who has seen his role expand significantly over the past few weeks. Revel is expected to remain a focal point in the Cowboys’ secondary against Detroit, tasked with helping contain a Lions offense that thrives on timing, speed, and misdirection.
Though young, Revel’s increased reps have provided valuable developmental experience, and Thursday night will represent another major test under bright lights.
Implications for a High-Pressure Week 14 Battle
With postseason positioning tightening across the NFC, every injury carries added weight. Dallas may be without its most recognizable defensive back, but the recent resurgence of the rest of the defense has softened the blow.
Still, the absence of Trevon Diggs removes a proven playmaker from the equation—one who thrives in the biggest moments. Whether Dallas’ evolving defensive identity can hold firm without him will be one of the defining questions as the Cowboys step into a hostile environment against the Lions.