cowboys Release Cornerback daron Diggs Amid performance and Injury Concerns
The Dallas Cowboys have released cornerback DaRon Diggs, a move that signals a shift in direction for the team’s secondary. The decision, finalized today, comes after a period marked by inconsistent play and a string of debilitating injuries for the 27-year-old defensive player.
Diggs’ 2023-2024 season was substantially hampered by health issues. He missed eight games while on injured reserve due too a concussion sustained in an unusual off-field incident – a fall from a TV-mount pole, as he later revealed. he also battled a knee injury throughout the season, further impacting his availability and performance.
Prior to the injuries, Diggs’ performance had already begun to decline, with reports indicating struggles in coverage and breakdowns in interaction with teammates. “Both before and after the injury, Diggs’ play was rocky, giving up catches and suffering miscommunication breakdowns,” one analyst noted.
The release is not attributed to a single event,but rather a culmination of factors. According to a senior NFL insider, the decision was “not the result of a single incident but rather the culmination of multiple factors over time — both performance and other factors.” This suggests a broader concern within the organization regarding Diggs’ overall contribution.
Diggs signed a lucrative five-year, $97 million contract extension with the Cowboys in July 2023, following consecutive Pro Bowl selections and a 2021 first-team All-Pro nod. Though, as receiving that substantial payday, injuries have severely limited his on-field impact. He has appeared in only 21 games over the past three seasons, including just two games played in 2023 before suffering an ACL injury.
Financially, the move makes sense for Dallas. Diggs carried a $14.5 million base salary for the 2026 season, but his contract included zero guaranteed money. This allowed the Cowboys to proactively address the situation rather than waiting for a potential offseason cut.
Diggs will now enter the waiver process. If he clears waivers, he will become a free agent eligible to sign with any team in the league. Despite his recent struggles,his experience and potential could attract interest from teams facing attrition at the cornerback position,especially those contending for a playoff berth. Given the high demand for quality defensive backs during the postseason, a new chance could be on the horizon for the former Pro Bowler.
Why did this happen? The Dallas Cowboys released cornerback DaRon Diggs due to a combination of declining performance, persistent injuries, and financial considerations. While no single incident triggered the release, a pattern of struggles in coverage, miscommunications, and limited availability contributed to the decision.
Who was involved? The key figures are DaRon Diggs, the Dallas Cowboys organization (including team management and coaching staff), and potentially other NFL teams who may bid for Diggs after he clears waivers.
What was the outcome? The Cowboys released Diggs,freeing up salary cap space and signaling a need for advancement at the cornerback position. Diggs will enter the waiver process and, if unclaimed, become a free agent.
How did it end? The Cowboys proactively released Diggs,leveraging the lack of guaranteed money in his contract.This allowed them to address the situation before potential future issues arose. The release concludes Diggs’ tenure with the Cowboys after five seasons, marked by initial success followed by a downturn in performance and health.
