Cowboys activate CB Trevon Diggs for Week 16 vs. Chargers, CB DaRon Bland heads to IR

A final decision has been reached in the Trevon Diggs saga.

The Dallas Cowboys have officially activated the All-Pro cornerback to the active roster on Saturday, clearing the way for Diggs to make his return just in time for Sunday’s Week 16 home matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, and for the first time since Week 6, per the team.

The timing of Diggs’ return comes after just two days ago when it was announced that cornerback DaRon Bland was expected to miss the rest of the season after a foot injury that may require surgery.

Bland who was ruled out for Sunday’s matchup, was officially placed on injured reserve Saturday.

The @dallascowboys activated CB Trevon Diggs from Reserve/Injured on Saturday. The club placed CB DaRon Bland (foot) on Reserve/Injured.

Dallas also elevated CB Corey Ballentine from the practice squad for tomorrow’s game against the LA Chargers.

— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) December 20, 2025

Had Dallas elected to not activate Diggs, he would have reverted back to IR, which would have closed his 21-day window, and ending his season.

Prior to the teams Week 7 home matchup vs. the Washington Commanders, Diggs suffered an at home concussion on October 16, and was immediately ruled out for the game.

Diggs was then placed on injured reserve on October 25 due to a knee injury, just one day prior to Dallas’ Week 8 road matchup in Denver.

After missing the four games that followed, Dallas opened Diggs’ practice window on November 30, just three days after the team’s 31-28 Thanksgiving Day win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Over the next three weeks, the biggest question wasn’t whether Diggs could help, it was when and if the Cowboys would finally turn him loose.

Cowboys coaches repeatedly mentioned that for Diggs to get back on the field, it came down to how he would preform in practice and that he had to show he was doing the “right thing” in everything he did.

DC Matt Eberflus said that Trevon Diggs doing the "right thing" eludes to the start and finish of each day from the moment he enters the building to the moment he leaves from meetings, the practice field, to walkthroughs etc.

— DLLS Cowboys (@DLLS_Cowboys) December 11, 2025

“From the first conversation that we had, it was practice. I guess I wasn’t showing them what they wanted to see in practice,” Diggs said earlier in the month. “This week, I showed them what they wanted to see in practice and it’s still the same result. I don’t know what else I need to do or what to show. At this point I feel like it’s not even, it’s not up to me or what I do. It’s really up to them, and what they want to do. I’m just showing up every day. I’m going to go to work.”

Diggs was inactive the week after Thanksgiving for the Cowboys’ 44-30 Week 14 road loss to the Detroit Lions, which was expected on a short week.

Then came Week 15, a must-win matchup vs. the Minnesota Vikings, and Diggs, who expected to suit up, was again sidelined despite practicing and telling Cowboys reporters that he was healthy.

“Going into the week, that was the plan, was for me to play. I was included in the game plan to play.” Diggs said following the Cowboys’ 34-26 loss to the Vikings. “Yesterday, I was told I wasn’t playing, so that’s why I thought that I was playing. It was a quick decision, I didn’t know. I thought I was going to come out here and play, but they felt otherwise. That’s just what it was.

“I feel good, I feel good enough to play. I practiced all week, so I don’t know. It’s not my decision, it’s not my call.”

Now, the waiting is over, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer approved of what he saw at practice this past week.

“What I’ve loved the most about him (this week) is he’s having fun playing football,”Schottenheimer said. “He’s smiling, running around…I see him flying to the ball and covering down. He’s playing really well.”

After pushing for his return last week, Diggs will now finally get his chance to suit up again.

Diggs has appeared in just six games this season and has recorded 18 tackles.

The future of the former 2020 second-round pick will likely be up in the air following the season. Diggs has missed 29 games since signing a five–year, $97 million contract extension before the start of the 2023 season.

“Of course, I love Dallas. Dallas is a great place,” Diggs said when asked about if he wants to be with the Cowboys next season. “I’ve built great relationships with these guys, they’re like my brothers, so of course I want to be here. But at the end of the day, it’s a business. I don’t know what the future holds, it’s in God’s hands. I’m just doing what I can do, showing up where I can show up, and go from there.”

With no guaranteed money remaining on his current deal, the Cowboys could designate him as a post-June 1 release during the 2026 offseason, which would free up to $15.5 million in cap space.

In six seasons with the Cowboys, the two-time Pro Bowler has totaled 233 tackles, 63 pass deflections, 20 interceptions, including a franchise record and league-leading 11 interceptions in 2021, and two defensive touchdowns.

If this ends up being his final stretch in Dallas, it at least won’t be from the sideline. Instead, Diggs will have the chance to finish the season on the field