Skip Bayless slams Cowboys after DaRon Bland's preseason injury - "This season is not meant to be"
The Dallas Cowboys' underwhelming offseason has hit another snag. Cornerback DaRon Bland, who was terrific last year and caught nine interceptions, was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left foot.
The third-year star felt soreness after practice on Friday and is now scheduled to undergo surgery for his fifth metatarsal. Bland is expected to miss 6-8 weeks of action.
Veteran analyst and Cowboys fan Skip Bayless voiced his frustration about the setback on X, writing,
"This season is NOT MEANT TO BE: The Cowboys chose not to bring back Stephon Gilmore, after he had a very good year, and now they've lost DaRon Bland for maybe half the season. Here we (don't) go!"
Bland's injury is a massive blow for the Cowboys. They were banking on Bland and the returning Trevon Diggs to man the secondary. The latter missed 15 games last season after suffering a torn ACL in practice but was expected to be ready to play in the team's season-opener Cleveland Browns.
Dallas passed on the opportunity to re-sign Stephon Gilmore, who had a terrific season with the team last year. Bland's injury is another blow to the Cowboys' defense. They lost pass rusher Sam Williams to a torn ACL and will now have to play without one of their two starting cornerbacks for at least the first four games of the new season.
DaRon Bland injury adds to Cowboys' tragic offseason
Following their humiliating loss to the Green Bay Packers at the AT&T Stadium in the Wild Card Round, owner and general manager Jerry Jones claimed that the team will go all-in in their bid to win the Super Bowl.
However, the front office hasn't made any substantial moves yet and is also sweating about the futures of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. The quarterback, who has one year left on his current deal, has seemingly resigned to the idea of playing without any guarantees about his future beyond the 2024 season.
On the contrary, the wide receiver isn't willing to suit up or even practice with the team unless they offer him a new contract that'd make him the highest or at least joint-highest-paid player at his position in the league. Jones claimed he's optimistic that Lamb will sign a new deal with the team.
It's been a far-from-ideal offseason for Dallas. The fans wouldn't have envisioned the team heading into Week 1 without adding a difference-maker on offense or defense.