The 2023 NFL playoffs are here, and that means Wild Card Weekend is too. One of the big-time matchups is one with history: the Green Bay Packers at the Dallas Cowboys. The two will face off on Sunday afternoon with the world watching.
However, the Cowboys will be missing one of their most talented players in Trevon Diggs. He will not be returning later in the playoffs, either. What happened to him?
Why Is Trevon Diggs Out for the Season?
Coming into the season, Diggs was expected to be the team’s top corner and one of the best defenders in the NFL. However, he suffered a torn ACL in practice on Sept. 21, ending his season.
Diggs had played in just two games, already bringing in three pass deflections, one interception, and one forced fumble. In his four-year career, he has 173 total tackles, 18 interceptions, 52 pass deflections, and two touchdowns.
In the wake of the injury, the team looked to Stephon Gilmore, DaRon Bland, and Jourdan Lewis to pick up his workload. Gilmore was acquired in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts prior to the season, while Bland was a fifth-round pick in 2022. Lewis also returned from an injury that had held him out since last October.
However, despite the major injury, the Cowboys’ defense has not missed a beat. The team finished the season with the fifth-best defense in total defense, allowing just 299.7 yards per game and 36 touchdowns.
DaRon Bland’s increased workload and move to outside also gave him a near-Defensive Player of the Year season. He compiled 69 total tackles and a league-leading nine interceptions, with five returned for a touchdown, an NFL record.
Gilmore, on the other hand, had 68 tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble but held his side of the field down in coverage with 13 pass deflections, just two less than Bland, with 13. Lewis added 52 tackles, one interception, and three forced fumbles.
Another reason the Cowboys’ defense didn’t miss a beat was their defensive line. Superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons tallied 64 tackles, 14 sacks, and one forced fumble. The rest of the Cowboys edge rushers, Dorance Armstrong Jr., Sam Williams, Dante Fowler, and DeMarcus Lawrence, combined for 20 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Despite the defense still churning, the Cowboys’ offense made sure to do their part. Quarterback Dak Prescott passed for 4,516 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions. He also added 242 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
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Running back Tony Pollard also crossed the 1,000-yard mark, rushing for 1,005 yards and six touchdowns on 252 attempts. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was the star of the show, though, catching 135 passes for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Cowboys showdown with the Packers will kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon. The Packers are the youngest team to make the playoffs in NFL history, led by quarterback Jordan Love.
Want to predict the results of the 2023 NFL postseason with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? How about looking into in-depth breakdowns of team depth charts or the NFL playoff schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with all that and more!
