Coming into the season, the Cowboys thought they’d done enough to secure a deep enough group in the secondary, a group that could be headlined by DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs, with Kaiir Elam, Caelen Carson and rookie Shavon Revel providing depth along the way.
It has not quite worked out that way. Bland was injured in Week 1 and only just returned to action, Diggs has been so-so, Elam has been disappointing and both Carson (knee injury in camp) and Revel (coming back from ACL surgery in college) have yet to play.
Couple the lack of depth with a poor pass-rush up front, and the defensive backs have been a harried unit this season, as Dallas has given up 1,189 yards of passing through three weeks, last in the NFL.
Shavon Revel, Caelan Carson Eligible to Help Struggling CBs
But the passing of Week 4 is a big one in the NFL, because it means players on the PUP list (or the Non-Football Injury list, as Revel is because his injury came before he was drafted) can begin returning to practice.
The Dallas Morning News this week offered updates on both Revel and Carson. The Cowboys will begin evaluating how quickly they can get those players back, and early indications are that Carson is ready to go, but Revel might need more time.
The paper reported that Carson, “feels physically ready to return,” and only need clearance from the Cowboys to get back on the practice field, which could happen on Tuesday.
Revel, though, might not be ready to take the field this week. He told the DMN he still needs another scan to check on the progress of his rehab before he can be cleared, and because he has not played competitive football in more than a year, just returning to practice won’t be enough to warrant putting him into games.
GettyDallas Cowboys CB Shavon Revel suffered a setback injury. When could he return?
Cowboys Weighing Pros and Cons of Returns
Coach Brian Schottenheimer is not necessarily counting on players to return, but it is, at least, on the table. Good news for a defense still in need of depth.
“We’re going to talk about that probably into tonight and into tomorrow. I think there’s a chance with a couple of guys,” Schottenheimer said.
“I won’t share with you who, but those conversations are a little bit early for us. We just kind of finished up the game, and now that we start getting ready for preparing for the Jets, we’ll have a better idea. But there’s a chance that you could see a little bit of movement.”
Cowboys Could Get Good Injury News for Struggling Unit