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Cowboys are preparing to make boneheaded mistake with injured star

The Cowboys would be out of their mind to do this.

By Jerry Trotta

Sep 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Sep 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images / Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
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Dallas Cowboys fans might be tired of hearing about the team's injuries, but it's arguably the most notable storyline surrounding the reigning NFC East champs. How could it not be when they are missing some of their best players?

It is dumbfounding how bad the Cowboys have been snake-bitten at defensive end. Losing Micah Parsons and Lawrence is brutal by itself, but Sam Williams is out for the season with a torn ACL and rookie Marshawn Kneeland, who is already a plus run defender, is headed to IR after he partially tore his lateral meniscus in Sunday's win over the Steelers.

While Jerry Jones left the door open on Parsons playing this week against the Lions, it's more likely than not that Parsons will be held out through the Week 7 bye. That feels like the smartest decision, anyway.

Speaking of smart decisions, the latest buzz suggests that Dallas is contemplating having star cornerback DaRon Bland return earlier expected from his foot injury.

Cowboys CB DaRon Bland could return from foot injury vs. Lions in Week 5

After Mike McCarthy and Jerry Jones called it a long shot that Bland would return this week, executive vice president Stephen Jones said Bland has a "real chance" of playing.

"I think DaRonBland has a real chance," Jones told Nick Eatman of the team's official website. "I don't know if he'll play the whole game but I think he's ready to start mixing it up. Short of a real setback, DaRon should be ready to dress and help us on the defensive side of the ball and the secondary."

Having Bland back even in a limited role would be an enormous boost. He led the NFL with nine interceptions last season and set the record for most pick-sixes with five. His 15 passes defended were the seventh-most among defensive backs and he allowed the third-lowest passer rating when targeted out of 100 qualified cornerbacks, per Pro Football Focus.

Bland's status as an impact player goes without saying. Selfishly, everybody wants him back out there. But we can't help but wonder if the Cowboys are making a sound decision. They generally play it safe with injured players. If Bland isn't ready for a full complement of snaps, why not sit him through the bye so he's at full strength for the Week 8 matchup against the 49ers?

Obviously we're not inside the building. The Cowboys wouldn't have Bland suit up if he didn't pass all the requisite benchmarks.

Maybe Dallas' ever-growing list of injuries has left us paranoid, but it is a little head-scratching that Bland is suddenly expected to play when he (seemingly) wasn't close to suiting up just four days ago against the Steelers. Or maybe he was and the Cowboys just kept it close to the vest.

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