Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys could take a look at free agent CB Xavien Howard. The Dallas Cowboys have identified former Pro Bowler Xavien Howard as a “add now” prospect for their upcoming season opener.
Howard, a four-time Pro Bowler, is currently a free agent after eight seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He has made 99 career starts, including 28 in the past two years with Miami.
The Cowboys require an experienced cornerback after losing DaRon Bland to a stress fracture in his left foot. Bland topped the league in interceptions a year ago, with nine. He returned five of them for touchdowns. Howard may complement Trevon Diggs, Jordan Lewis, rookie Caelen Carson, and Andrew Booth Jr., who was acquired by trade in early August.
Bleacher Report dubbed Howard an add-now piece for Dallas with their opener less than a week away.
“With DaRon Bland beginning the campaign on injured reserve and thus, missing at least the first four weeks, the Cowboys will be without one of their ballhawks in the secondary,” reported Bleacher Report on September 2, 2017.
“Howard’s legal difficulties could provide a challenge for any team interested in acquiring him. However, on the field, the eight-year veteran’s 39 career interceptions and 95 passes defended may be the best alternative for Bland at this time.”
If the Cowboys do not sign Howard or another free agent, Carson will play an important role. Carson has impressed so far in training camp and the preseason, winning over some Dallas veterans. “I think Carson, he flashed a lot,” Cowboys player Micah Parsons said during training camp.
“They saw it relatively early, and he’s no longer playing in preseason games so he can see where he’s heading in his career. He plans to play a lot. We have an excellent group there. We suffered a lot of injuries over the last two years, but we now have some depth at the [cornerback] position, which is fantastic.”
Carson will face a challenge when paired with Diggs, who led the NFL in interceptions in 2021 despite missing the previous season. He’s ready to seize the opportunity. “It sucks, because [Bland] is like my brother and he’s one of the guys,” Carson told me.
This is horrible news…Simply make the most of each opportunity. Take tips from (Bland), (Diggs), and some of the older guys, and just take advantage of the situation.”
Trevon Diggs Ready for Action After ACL Injury
Diggs’ return gives the Cowboys’ secondary a much-needed boost. In late July, he was removed from the PUP list and is now feeling more like himself. “It felt fantastic to get back and move around other players, to get used to other bodies flying close me—so it was good. I got a lot of good stuff done today.
… [The psychological aspect of returning] is not particularly difficult. On August 14, Diggs told the Cowboys’ official site, “I trust it now.” “It’s more about gaining the repetition and getting back to doing what I do best: becoming familiar with the routes. That is pretty much all. In terms of being terrified mentally or otherwise, I am not.
The Cowboys’ secondary will have an early test against the Cleveland Browns.Deshaun Watson returns to Cleveland after missing six games last year due to injury. The Browns’ receiving corps include former Cowboys Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku, and Elijah Moore.
