Dec 9, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA;  Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) defends a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Cowboys VP: CB Trevon Diggs likely out until start of ’25 season

Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs is out for the season to undergo knee surgery and might not be ready to suit up until after training camp ends in August 2025, Dallas executive vice president Stephen Jones said Monday.

Jones said Diggs, 26, was playing with fluid in his knee and did everything possible to avoid missing Sunday’s game at Carolina and landing back on injured reserve. Diggs was ruled out for the game and didn’t travel with the team to Charlotte, where the Cowboys (6-8) beat the Panthers 30-14.

“He was out there doing everything he can because he wants to play, he wants to compete, he wants to contribute,” Jones said in a radio interview with 105.3 FM The Fan in Dallas. “But, unfortunately, he (has) a new injury that has to do with cartilage. It’s certainly a very legitimate injury that’s gonna take him some time to recover from. … I don’t think he’ll be a player during training camp. I think his timeline is going to be right about the start of the season.”

Diggs has 42 tackles and two interceptions in 11 games (all starts) this season.

He tore the ACL in his left knee during a practice before Week 3 last season and played in only two games.

The Cowboys selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He has 215 tackles, one sack, 63 passes defensed and 20 interceptions — including two returned for touchdowns — in 58 regular-season games (57 starts).

Diggs led the league with 11 picks for 142 yards in 2021, when he made the first of his two Pro Bowl teams and was first-team All-Pro.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) walsk off injured during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Cowboys G Zack Martin, CB Trevon Diggs out vs. Commanders

The Dallas Cowboys ruled out right guard Zack Martin and cornerback Trevon Diggs with injuries on Saturday, one day prior to a road game against the Washington Commanders.

Martin has been dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries and didn’t practice at all this week before initially being listed as doubtful to play on Friday. He also physically struggled during Monday night’s loss to the Houston Texans.

Martin, who turned 34 on Wednesday, has started all 162 games played in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. He’s a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro.

Diggs has been dealing with groin and knee injuries. He was listed as questionable on Friday before being downgraded Saturday.

Diggs, 26, has 37 tackles and two interceptions in 10 games this season. The two-time Pro Bowl pick led the NFL with 11 picks in 2021 and has 20 in 57 games.

The Cowboys elected not to activate receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) for the game. He returned to practice earlier this week and he was listed as questionable on Friday.

Dallas activated offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (toe) and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) off injured reserve Saturday, placed safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) on IR and released defensive end KJ Henry.

Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) was previously ruled out. Tight end Princeton Fant was elevated from the practice squad to replace him. Cornerback Kemon Hall also was elevated from the practice squad.

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA;  Tennessee Titans safety Quandre Diggs (28) runs out during player introductions against the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Report: Titans lose two starters to season-ending injuries

Tennessee Titans safety Quandre Diggs sustained a season-ending Lisfranc injury in Sunday’s win against the New England Patriots, NFL Network reported.

Diggs, 31, will require surgery on his foot, per the report. He started all eight games for the Titans (2-6), collecting 42 tackles to rank third on the team.

The Titans also lost center Lloyd Cushenberry to a season-ending Achilles injury in Sunday’s 20-17 overtime win, multiple outlets reported.

Titans head coach Brian Callahan confirmed that both players “will miss significant time” and are “very, very likely” headed to injured reserve.

Cushenberry, 26, started the first eight games in his first season with Tennessee. He made 65 starts in four seasons with the Denver Broncos, who drafted him in the third round in 2020.

Diggs made three straight Pro Bowls with Seattle from 2020-22 and has recorded 622 tackles and 24 interceptions in 145 games (20 starts) with the Detroit Lions (2015-19), Seahawks (2019-23) and Titans.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) celebrate a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Bills, QB Josh Allen search for answers without WR Stefon Diggs

With no true No. 1 wide receiver on the roster, some might have anticipated a more abrasive posture from quarterback Josh Allen as the Bills open offseason workouts.

But as the Bills transform the roster, Allen said he’s accepting the unspoken challenge of becoming a better leader.

“It’s definitely hard to part ways with a guy that’s been very instrumental in our success the last four years,” Allen said Thursday of reporting to work without wide receiver Stefon Diggs in tow.

“We made a lot of changes this offseason. We lost a lot of veteran leadership — Stef being one of them. Going into Year 7 now, it just kind of is what it is. I don’t get paid to make changes on the team. I get paid to be the best quarterback I can be and try to lead the guys on this team.”

Diggs was traded to the Houston Texans and exchanged text messages with Allen, who said he’ll “always love him like a brother.” Buffalo also moved on from No. 2 wide receiver Gabe Davis, who landed in Jacksonville as a free agent.

Bills general manager Brandon Beane is tasked with making roster changes. He said there’s no truth to the idea Buffalo needs a No. 1 wide receiver on the roster or has to zero in on that position in the draft.

“We’d love to have two guys out there who are No. 1s,” Beane said. “What you need are guys that are smart, versatile, selfless and can make the plays that their skill set allows them to make. If it’s a tall guy that Josh is going to throw him a 50-50 ball he’s got to come down with it. If it’s a guy that we’re going to get the ball in his hands and we need some (yards after the catch) he’s going to do that. … If there’s a (No.) 1 (receiver) that pops up in free agency or draft that makes sense for us, we’ll do it.

“I don’t think not having a 1 means we cannot have success either as an offense or as a team.”

Buffalo’s current depth chart at the position features 2023 fifth-round pick Justin Shorter, 2022 fifth-round pick Khalil Shakir and free agent signee Curtis Samuel.

The Bills feature tight ends Dawson Knox and 2023 first-round pick Dalton Kincaid but no outside receiver with Diggs’ resume.

“We’ll miss him. You never replace a player like Stef Diggs,” head coach Sean McDermott said Thursday. “… Hard to move on from a player like that.”

McDermott called the trade an “opportunity to step up” for returning receivers.

He said he discussed the trade of Diggs with Allen and they communicated “multiple times” because of the gravity of the decision. In exchange for a 2025 second-round pick, the Bills are forced to swallow $31 million in dead money on the current payroll and take a $4 million cap hit.

“Just trying to do what’s best for the team, both in the near-term and the long-term,” McDermott said.

–Field Level Media

Oct 15, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) speak prior to the game against the New York Giants at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Bills GM: ‘Timing made sense’ for Stefon Diggs trade

Trading star wide receiver Stefon Diggs was not an easy decision, according to Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane.

“These moves are never easy — very hard, not made overnight, anything like that — but any time you make a move like this, as I said, very difficult, you’re doing it because you’re trying to win,” Beane said summarizing his thought process in dealing Buffalo’s four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver to the Houston Texans.

“Sometimes people may not see that. This is by no means the Bills giving up or trying to take a step back or anything like that. Everything we do, we’re trying to win, and we’re going to continue to do that. It’s April … we’ll continue to work on this roster and make sure we’re ready to play come September.”

The Bills are absorbing a massive dead cap hit — $31.1 million — to reset the depth chart at wide receiver. In return, Buffalo picked up a second-round pick in the 2025 draft.

Diggs, 30, had at least 1,100 yards in each of his four seasons with the Bills. But he hasn’t always lived a harmonious existence in Buffalo and spent part of last offseason away from the team in an apparent rift with the coaching staff.

Beane said “it’s not the first time we’ve been called to ask would we move him” but felt the timing and value was right before he stamped the trade with the Texans on Wednesday.

“I think with this move, as we’re talking with Houston in this case the last couple days, the value seemed to make sense and the timing made sense for them and for us,” Beane said.

The deal leaves quarterback Josh Allen with little familiarity in the WR room.

Before Diggs was traded, the Bills lost free agent Gabe Davis to the Jacksonville Jaguars and signed free agent Curtis Samuel. Khalil Shakir is the team’s top returning receiver with 39 receptions for 611 yards and two touchdowns in 2023.

Diggs led the NFL with 127 catches and 1,535 yards in his first season with the Bills in 2020. He totaled 37 TDs over four years as Allen’s go-to guy outside.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) reacts after the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Texans’ futures close in on AFC elite with Stefon Diggs

The Houston Texans have spent the offseason strategically adding to their young roster in an effort to close the gap on their AFC competitors.

They took their boldest step with Wednesday’s trade for wide receiver Stefon Diggs. News of the deal with the Buffalo Bills caused oddsmakers to immediately adjust the futures markets for both teams, along with division, league and even Super Bowl odds.

When the offseason began, the Texans were +2000 at DraftKings to win the Super Bowl and +1100 to win the AFC Championship. Despite adding veteran running back Joe Mixon during the first few weeks of the new league season, Houston’s odds had lengthened a bit to +2500 and +1200, respectively, by March 25.

That all changed significantly with Wednesday’s blockbuster move, which will see the Texans send a 2024 second-round pick to the Bills while receiving a sixth-round pick this year and a fifth-round pick in 2025.

DraftKings told Field Level Media their oddsmakers immediately trimmed Houston’s Super Bowl odds to +1200, giving the Texans the seventh-shortest odds at the book. Meanwhile, their AFC title odds shifted to the fifth-shortest at +850 and their odds of winning the AFC North moved from +135 to +115.

The reaction was similar at other sportsbooks.

Houston’s Super Bowl odds shortened from +2200 to +1600 at BetRivers, where their AFC title odds moved from +1000 to +750. At BetMGM, the Texans’ odds moved from +1600 to +1500 and from +650 to +750, respectively.

BetMGM maintained the team’s Over/Under win total at 9.5 games, but the price moved from -100 to -145 on the Over and from -110 to +120 on the Under.

The impact was predictably the opposite for Buffalo’s futures.

After opening at +900 at DraftKings, the Bills are now at +1200 to win the Super Bowl. They have also moved from +475 to +700 to win the AFC, with the Texans now right behind them.

Buffalo’s Super Bowl odds moved from +1200 to +1400 at BetRivers. However, they went unchanged at BetMGM, where the Bills’ win total market also remained at 10.5 games. The price did shift from -120 to +100 on the Over and from +100 to -120 on the Under.

BILLS/TEXANS FUTURES (DraftKings)
Bills Super Bowl
–Opened: +900
–3/25: +1100
–Currently: +1200

Texans Super Bowl
–Opened: +2000
–3/25: +2500
–Currently: +1600

Bills AFC
–Opened: +475
–3/25: +550
–Currently: +700

Texans AFC
–Opened: +1100
–3/25: +1200
–Currently: +850

Bills AFC East
–Opened: +130
–3/25: +135
–Current: +160

Texans AFC South
–Opened: +160
–3/25: +135
–Currently: +115

The trade ends Diggs’ sometimes rocky tenure in Buffalo, where he has earned Pro Bowl honors all four seasons.

Buffalo entered the offseason $47 million over the salary cap and has lost multiple starters from the division championship roster.

Diggs turns 31 in November but has produced at a high level since the Bills acquired him from the Minnesota Vikings in 2020.

Houston’s financial commitment could be just one season because of the structure of guaranteed cash payouts. The Texans can part with Diggs after the 2024 season if desired without a cap hit because his $18 million salary for 2025, $19.1 million for 2026 and $14.5 million in 2027 isn’t guaranteed.

Diggs and the Bills were at odds multiple times since he signed a four-year, $96 million contract with $70 million guaranteed in April 2022. Almost exactly two years later, Buffalo hit reset at the wide receiver position.

Khalil Shakir, a fifth-round pick in 2022, is the top returning wide receiver from the 2023 season with 39 receptions for 611 yards and two touchdowns. In addition to Diggs, No. 2 receiver Gabe Davis (45 receptions, seven TDs in 2023) signed with the Jaguars in free agency.

Buffalo has added two receivers — Commanders free agent Curtis Samuel and former Falcons receiver Mack Hollins.

Samuel has four career 50-plus-catch seasons and had 126 total receptions the past two seasons. Diggs caught 215 passes for 3,613 yards and 19 touchdowns since he signed the new deal with the Bills on April 6, 2022.

Diggs has 810 career catches for 9,995 yards and 67 touchdowns in 136 games (128 starts) with the Minnesota Vikings (2015-19) and Bills.

Diggs joins an offense that, in addition to Mixon, also includes second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud, wide receivers Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Noah Brown and Robert Woods and tight end Dalton Schultz.

–Field Level Media

Jun 7, 2022; Renton, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks strong safety Jamal Adams (33) and free safety Quandre Diggs (6) walk on the field during minicamp practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Seahawks releasing Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs, Will Dissly

The Seattle Seahawks are releasing three-time Pro Bowl safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs and tight end Will Dissly, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

Cutting ties with the three starters would save the Seahawks about $34.5 million in cash and significant cap space, per the report.

Adams, 28, made nine starts in 2023 and recorded 48 tackles. The 2017 first-round pick (sixth overall) has posted 494 tackles, 21.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles and four interceptions in 80 games (all starts) with the New York Jets (2017-19) and Seahawks.

Adams was due a base salary of $16.5 million in 2024 and carried a cap hit of $26.9 million, according to Spotrac.

Diggs, 31, started all 17 games and tallied 95 tackles and one interception in 2023. He has 580 tackles and 24 picks in 137 games (112 starts) with the Detroit Lions (2015-19) and Seahawks. Detroit drafted him in the sixth round in 2015 and traded him to Seattle in October 2019.

Diggs’ release saves the Seahawks an additional $800,000.

Dissly, 27, caught 17 passes for 172 yards and one touchdown in 16 games (14 starts) in 2023. He has 127 grabs for 1,421 yards and 13 scores in 72 games (65 starts) since Seattle drafted him in the fourth round in 2018.

His $6.49 million base salary for 2024 is not guaranteed and his release would save $6.97 million against the cap.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys CB DaRon Bland ready for challenge of filling Trevon Diggs’ starting spot

Cowboys All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs is done for the season with a torn ACL in his left knee, a “big blow” to the Dallas defense in the estimation of head coach Mike McCarthy.

“It’s just awful. He was playing off the charts. Obviously a big blow. Your heart goes out to Trevon,” McCarthy said Friday. “You just make sure he feels the love and support, and we’ve gotta keep moving forward.”

Slot cornerback DaRon Bland moves forward on the Dallas defensive depth chart to what is likely to be exclusive work at outside cornerback. He played nickel, dime and slot cornerback in a varied role that emphasized his versatility in defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s scheme. On Sunday at Arizona, Bland assumes the starting spot that belonged to Diggs.

“Moving back to the outside will be good, I just got to keep my head straight,” Bland said Friday. “I’m definitely a lot more comfortable. I’m not playing as much on instincts.”

Jourdan Lewis is taking over Bland’s role with others in the mix on a more limited basis.

Bland, who said he was “devastated” when Diggs went to the turf in practice Thursday afternoon, has enormous shoes to fill.

A fifth-round pick in 2022, Bland, 24, earned the trust of teammates and has shown a nose for the ball. He returned an interception of Giants quarterback Daniel Jones for a touchdown in the opener.

Diggs forced two turnovers in Week 1 and sealed last week’s win over the Jets with an interception, backing up his vow to become “the complete cornerback” when he signed a five-year, $97.5 million extension in the offseason.

Veteran starting cornerback Stephon Gilmore told Bland, “Don’t try to do too much. Just be you.”

Diggs, 25, led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 2021. The two-time Pro Bowl selection has 18 picks — including two returned for touchdowns — to go along with 173 tackles in 47 career games (46 starts) since being selected by Dallas in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Jul 26, 2023; Rochester, NY, USA;  Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) makes a catch during training camp at St. John Fisher College. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Bills WR Stefon Diggs: ‘100 pct not true’ he wants out of Buffalo

Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs denies he wants to leave Buffalo, taking to social media on Monday to shoot down a report stating just that.

Stephen A. Smith said on ESPN that Diggs “wants out of Buffalo. I have my sources.”

Within an hour, Diggs fired back with his side of the story: “100% not true. I don’t know who the source ?? is but I thought i nip this s— in the bud already.”

A rocky offseason seemed to be behind the Bills and their No. 1 wideout before Monday.

There has been acrimony reportedly stemming from Diggs’ lack of voice in the offensive scheme and design in addition to his minimal impact in the playoff loss to Cincinnati last season.

Diggs had four catches for 35 yards on 10 targets in that 27-10 divisional loss to the Bengals on Jan. 22.

Diggs stormed out of the locker room after the defeat and made no appearances during the voluntary offseason program. He was M.I.A. for the first day of mandatory minicamp but returned for Day 2, when Bills coach Sean McDermott said the 29-year-old had been excused from the first practice. McDermott was “very concerned” with Diggs’ absence just the day before.

“I feel like we’re in a real good spot so the rest of it though, the details I want to respectfully keep those conversations in house,” McDermott told reporters Wednesday.

Quarterback Josh Allen told reporters that he and Diggs were “working on some things” that were “not football-related” in May.

Diggs caught 108 passes for 1,429 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2022. His catches ranked fourth in the NFL, his yards fifth and his TD receptions were tied for third.

Diggs signed a four-year, $96 million extension in April 2022 and is set to make $24.415 million in 2023. That puts him fifth among all wide receivers for the 2023 season, per Spotrac.

–Field Level Media

Oct 23, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA;  Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) reacts during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Illness sidelines Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs, WR Michael Gallup

Cornerback Trevon Diggs and wide receiver Michael Gallup missed their second consecutive practice due to illness on Thursday, head coach Mike McCarthy said.

One week after multiple defensive linemen were flattened by a non-COVID illness, McCarthy said he had both players participate in position and team meetings virtually.

McCarthy said there is time for both players to get on the field and play Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

On the injury front, the Cowboys are optimistic linebacker Anthony Barr (hamstring) can advance from limited practice Wednesday to his first game since Week 8 on Sunday.

–Field Level Media