Stephen Jones says Cowboys corner DaRon Bland has ‘real chance’ to play against Lions

The Cowboys defense may get one of its top stars back vs the Lions

The Cowboys’ injury-plagued defense may get some relief this week. All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland, who was injured during the preseason, reportedly has a chance to play when Dallas hosts the Detroit Lions this Sunday.

Bland went on injured reserve in late August due to a stress fracture in his left foot. He had to sit out at least four games and then didn’t join the team for last week’s battle in Pittsburgh. But even with a bye coming following the Detroit game, the Cowboys could get Bland out there sooner rather than later.

“I think DaRon Bland has a real chance … I don’t know if he’ll play the whole game but I think he’s ready to start mixing it up,” [Stephen] Jones said on Tuesday. “Short of a real setback, DaRon should be ready to dress and help us on the defensive side of the ball and the secondary.”

Bland’s return could easily coincide with rookie Caelen Carson’s, who was inactive again last week but did get in some limited practices. If both can go against the Lions, it will be the first time that Dallas has had its top-four corners play in the same game this year. It will also be the first time that Bland and Trevon Diggs have shared the field since Week 2 of 2023.

In other roster news, the Cowboys did some churning with call-ups from and new signings to their practice squad in preparation for Week 6.

Williams was a sixth-round pick by Denver in 2021. He’s spent nearly all of the last three years on the Broncos and Jaguars’ practice squad, logging just one catch so far in his career.

Vilain, an undrafted rookie in 2022, was recently on the Browns’ practice squad and has spent time in Carolina and Minnesota before that. He made the Vikings’ roster as a rookie but only played in three games.