Cowboys' Diggs to return after 2-month absence

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs said he expects to play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings after a two-month absence after dealing with a concussion and an ailing right knee.

For it to become official, the Cowboys will have to activate Diggs, a two-time Pro Bowler, from injured reserve Saturday and create a spot on the 53-man roster.

"I'm ready," Diggs said.

Diggs has not played since a 30-27 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 12. He suffered a concussion in an at-home accident and was placed on injured reserve Oct. 25 to rest his right knee. He had two surgeries on his left knee in 2023 and 2024 because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament and chondral tissue graft.

"It's definitely been hard because of course you want to get back out there," Diggs said. "But people feel how they feel and just got to roll with the punches and keep pushing forward."

Earlier this week, coach Brian Schottenheimer said Diggs was still in the "ramp up period," but also added, "love him as a player, but ultimately he's got to show us he's ready to do everything the right way."

What does that mean?

"Consistency through everything," Schottenheimer said. "He's no different than Dak Prescott or Jake Ferguson or Kenny Clark. Just continue to do everything the right way. Thought last week was a good first step and hopefully this week is an even better step and if it is you'll see him out there."

Diggs said he is as healthy as he has felt in a while and felt like he could have played last week.

"I didn't get a lot of practice reps though, so that could also be an issue," Diggs said. "But I feel like I got reps this week, got a lot of practice here and, yeah, (it was a) good week."

In six games, Diggs has been credited with 20 tackles, one tackle for loss and two quarterback pressures but he does not have an interception or pass deflection. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021 and '22 after recording 14 interceptions, including 11 in 2021.

The Cowboys signed him to a five-year extension worth $97 million in 2023, but he has played in just 19 games since.

The Cowboys enforced a $500,000 de-escalation clause in his contract when he failed to report to 84% of the team's offseason program, preferring to go through rehab in South Florida. He opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list for the second straight year but was activated during the summer and was active for the season opener.