Is DaRon Bland playing today? Latest updates for Cowboys CB

Injuries have been the story of the Dallas Cowboys' season so far. As if missing Micah Parsons for a second straight game wasn't enough, fellow defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence and Marshawn Kneeland are on injured reserve with foot and knee injuries, respectively.

It is patently absurd that the Cowboys are down their top four pass rushers. The defense will have its work cut out to slow down a talented and complex Detroit Lions offense, and it looks Mike Zimmer will be as short-handed as he's been in recent weeks.

While rookie cornerback Caelen Carson is set to return from a two-game absence, but All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland will not make his season debut.

Bland went on injured reserve before the season with a stress fracture in his foot for which he underwent surgery. There had been growing optimism that Bland would play this week, but Dallas has decided to err on the side of caution with its star defensive back.

Cowboys cornerback DaRn Bland won't play in Week 6 vs. Lions

Bland got in a full practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but he was surprisingly downgraded to a DNP on Friday. It's another hit for the defense, but the Cowboys are being smart not rushing him back. As much as Bland wants to be out there, foot injuries are difficult.

"It's tough," Bland said on Thursday. "It was my first time being hurt, so taking that time away from the game, it took me a minute to get back to where I feel good to come back. So it feel good now. … It felt really long. I feel like I [haven't] played football in years, almost."

Bland put himself on the national map last season when he led the league with nine interceptions and set the NFL single-season record with five pick-sixes. The former fifth-round pick produced the third-best PFF coverage grade among 72 qualified cornerbacks. He also allowed the ninth-lowest completion rate when targeted and the third-lowest passer rating, per PFF.

It was an outstanding season for Bland, and what makes it all the more impressive is that he converted to the outside after Trevon Diggs went down with a torn ACL. Bland had played almost exclusively in the slot prior to Diggs' injury. If you remember, it was Bland who filled in at the nickel position in 2022 after starter Jourdan Lewis suffered a season-ending foot injury.

With the Cowboys on a bye next week, the Week 8 matchup against the 49ers should be circled as Bland's likely season debut.

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