The Dallas Cowboys are set to face the Detroit Lions in Week 6, but they’ll be without one of their star defenders, DaRon Bland, who continues to recover from a foot injury. Bland, who emerged as one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks in 2023, will miss his sixth game of the season after the Cowboys chose to keep him off the active roster for the Lions matchup.

Bland’s Recovery Process and Week 6 Absence

DaRon Bland has been sidelined since suffering a stress fracture in his left foot back in late August, an injury that required surgery. The cornerback had been slowly working his way back, practicing on both Wednesday and Thursday of this week. However, Bland sat out of Friday’s practice, and the Cowboys made the cautious decision to not activate him for the Week 6 clash with Detroit.

According to Cowboys insider Todd Archer, the team is likely eyeing Bland’s return in Week 8, after their upcoming bye in Week 7. Archer stated, “DaRon Bland’s debut will have to wait. He is not being added to the 53-man roster this week. With the bye next week, likely to be active for the San Francisco game.” In Bland’s absence, Dallas has elevated cornerback Amani Oruwariye and linebacker Darius Harris from the practice squad to fill in.

Bland’s Impact and What Lies Ahead

DaRon Bland’s breakout season in 2023 put him on the map as one of the league’s most dynamic cornerbacks. His ability to create turnovers was unrivaled, as he led the NFL with nine interceptions, five of which were returned for touchdowns—setting an NFL single-season record. Bland’s performance earned him Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors, solidifying his role as a key piece in the Cowboys’ secondary.

Bland was expected to form an elite cornerback duo alongside Trevon Diggs this season, but the injury has delayed their pairing. With a bye week ahead in Week 7, all signs point to Bland making his return in Week 8, where the Cowboys will face a challenging matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

For now, the Cowboys will have to rely on the rest of their secondary, with rookie Caelen Carson likely stepping into a bigger role alongside Trevon Diggs for the Week 6 showdown with the Lions. While Bland’s absence is significant, the Cowboys hope to keep their momentum going as they look ahead to a healthier, stronger lineup after the bye.

Looking Toward Week 8

As Dallas pushes through this stretch of the season, getting Bland back could be a game-changer. His return, coupled with the team’s bye week recovery, could provide the Cowboys with a much-needed defensive boost as they prepare for the second half of the season.