Trevon Diggs, who began training camp on the PUP (physically unable to perform list) at first, was playing several weeks ahead of schedule on September 8, when he took the field for the Dallas Cowboys against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Stadium. Diggs had overcome his recovery from an ACL tear.
After his first game back, he made a beeline for assistant head coach and defensive backs coach Al Harris for a heartfelt hug after making an interception against Deshaun Watson. The two have since developed a close friendship that goes beyond the typical player-coach dynamic. “I didn’t feel it until I was out there like, Wow, I’m actually back,” the All-Pro cornerback who set a record said. “So yeah, it was emotional for me.”
It’s the culmination of more work than anyone might imagine, as best friend and colleague All-Pro Micah Parsons demonstrated. “Oh man, I told you he has more to him than you think,” stated Parsons. “Dude, that’s just how he is. For those who are injury-free—and thank God, with luck, I have never experienced a season-ending injury in my professional career—the path ahead is difficult. You continuously need someone to support and encourage you when you are unable to walk or move about on your own. What he endured for the entire year following his initial setback, and then experiencing self-harm during practice.
I’m sure it was an emotional experience for him, and I’m happy that it paid off. The guy is a great warrior, so I think he deserved to let all of his feelings be known. He returned four weeks earlier than most people anticipated. He also had a fantastic game.” That’s exactly what he did, stuffing the wide receivers for the Browns along with Jourdan Lewis and rookie cornerback Caelen Carson, and finishing the afternoon with the aforementioned interception that nearly caused him to trip over the ball.
Ultimately, he gave up just 23 yards on six receptions—ten targets—with no touchdowns. “It felt good,” Diggs remarked. “The mood was intense. I missed my teammates and being able to go out there with them. Being allowed to compete and go out there was a pleasant feeling upon returning. .. Yes, I feel at ease. I’m going to be 100 percent better in game two. That entails improving daily, improving in every game, and continuing to progress.”
There is one thing that is certain, and that is that when Diggs is introduced during the home opener on September 15 against the New Orleans Saints, Cowboys fans will undoubtedly blow the roof off AT&T Stadium. This Sunday’s game will be Diggs’ first in Arlington since September 17, 2023, against the New York Jets.
