Just when you think everything is going great for a team, a practice injury throws a wrench into it. The Dallas defense was a juggernaut its first two games, but it will be down a key member of its secondary the rest of the season.
Top cornerback Trevon Diggs tore his ACL in practice yesterday. He's done for the year. Needless to say, he'll be missed.
As an All-Pro in 2021, Diggs recorded a league-leading 11 interceptions. He cooled off to just 3 last year, but was still a Pro Bowl corner for this secondary. In two games he has an interception and a forced fumble. They'll have to get by without him.
It's early, but Dallas currently leads the NFL with 5 interceptions -- two more than anyone but San Francisco (4). Over the past two seasons, no one has more interceptions than Dallas (they have 6 more than everyone but New England).
TEAM INTERCEPTIONS, 2021-2022 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Team | 21 | 22 | Tot |
Dallas | 26 | 16 | 42 |
New England | 23 | 19 | 42 |
Buffalo | 19 | 17 | 36 |
Green Bay | 18 | 17 | 35 |
LA Rams | 19 | 16 | 35 |
Houston | 17 | 16 | 33 |
Pittsburgh | 13 | 20 | 33 |
Minnesota | 16 | 15 | 31 |
Tennessee | 16 | 14 | 30 |
Philadelphia | 12 | 17 | 29 |
San Francisco | 9 | 20 | 29 |
Indianapolis | 19 | 10 | 29 |
Denver | 13 | 15 | 28 |
Tampa Bay | 17 | 10 | 27 |
Kansas City | 15 | 11 | 26 |
Cincinnati | 13 | 13 | 26 |
Seattle | 11 | 14 | 25 |
LA Chargers | 11 | 14 | 25 |
New Orleans | 18 | 7 | 25 |
Arizona | 13 | 11 | 24 |
Cleveland | 13 | 11 | 24 |
Baltimore | 9 | 14 | 23 |
Detroit | 11 | 12 | 23 |
Miami | 14 | 8 | 22 |
Atlanta | 12 | 10 | 22 |
Chicago | 8 | 14 | 22 |
Jacksonville | 7 | 14 | 21 |
NY Giants | 15 | 6 | 21 |
Washington | 11 | 9 | 20 |
Carolina | 9 | 10 | 19 |
NY Jets | 7 | 12 | 19 |
Las Vegas | 6 | 6 | 12 |
That's the NFL, and it's next man up for Dallas. They've still got Stephon Gilmore at one spot, and either nickelback DaRon Bland or perhaps backup Noah Igbinoghene will need to step in. They could also bring another veteran in, either signing or trade. Whatever the case, a significant downgrade.
The secondary might not be much tested by Joshua Dobbs and Arizona this week, but it's looking less fearsome going forward.
--Andy Richardson