DaRon Bland update: Potential return for Cowboys vs Lions

With all the bad injury news the Cowboys have been dealing with lately, it’s about time they heard some positive news. Cornerback DaRon Bland could be making his return this week when the Cowboys face the Detroit Lions at home this Sunday.

Bland’s return from injury

DaRon Bland led the league in interceptions last season with nine, including a single-season record of five pick-sixes. Before the start of this season, there was a lot of excitement to watch him play alongside All-Pro Trevon Diggs, who missed the majority of last season with an ACL injury.

Unfortunately, fans were forced to wait to see that duo when Bland suffered a stress fracture in his foot just two weeks before the start of the season. Dallas was forced to place him on Injured Reserve, meaning he’d miss at least the first four games. This news came after they’d already lost defensive end Sam Williams to a season-ending ACL tear.

With Bland out, Dallas has started three different cornerbacks - rookie Caelen Carson, Andrew Booth, and Amani Oruwariiye. Carson suffered a shoulder injury after three games and has been out since then. In addition, the Cowboys had injuries to two of their best defenders during their Week 4 win over the Giants - edge rusher Micah Parsons and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. Parsons, who suffered an ankle injury, missed last week’s game against the Steelers, and could miss up to four games total. Meanwhile, Lawrence suffered a foot sprain and was placed on Injured Reserve, missing last week’s game and set to miss the next three as well. But even after, he could potentially miss up to eight weeks total.

With Lawrence and Willians both out, Dallas relied heavily on Marshawn Kneeland during their Week 5 game against the Steelers, but unfortunately he was also injured in that game. He had to be carted off the field with a knee injury that looked bad enough to potentially keep him out the rest of the season. It’s now been reported that he will undergo surgery on his knee and is expected to miss around four to six weeks, which is good news, but still leaves Dallas ever-thinner on defense.

That being said, the Cowboys are happy to get any help they can on that side of the ball. Bland was still not ready to return to the field in Week 5 when the Cowboys played the Steelers, but this week when they face the Lions, he could finally make his season debut.

“I think DaRon Bland has a real chance,” said Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones. “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.”

The Cowboys will face a Detroit team led by quarterback Jared Goff and a passing attack that includes wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta. Kickoff from AT&T Stadium is at 4:25 p.m. ET and you can follow along with all the action with our live text updates (brought to you by yours truly) right here on AS USA.