It's taken only three games to say that the Dallas Cowboys have a problem in the secondary that cannot be addressed soon enough.
After allowing Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to throw for just under 300 yards and four touchdowns this past weekend, the Cowboys are now allowing the opposition to complete over 73% of their pass attempts. They have allowed seven passing touchdowns to just one interception, along with allowing opposing QBs to have a 125.3 passer rating against them, second only to the Miami Dolphins (128.9).
Needless to say, Dallas' secondary needs a boost as badly as any position group in the league. With a Week 4 showdown against the Green Bay Packers on the horizon, the Cowboys may have received that boost they're looking for during practice on Wednesday, as veteran DaRon Bland was in uniform and on the practice field, per The Athletic's Jon Machota.
DaRon Bland's Return Provides Cowboys a Boost Before Packers Game
A foot injury has prevented Bland from taking the field since Dallas' Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Given the results, it isn't a stretch to suggest he was sorely missed against the New York Giants and Chicago Bears. After returning to practice on Wednesday, Bland looks to be on track to get back into the lineup this Sunday.
With the weapons the Packers have in place on the offensive side of the ball, Bland could not be returning at a better time for the Cowboys. Fellow cornerback Trevon Diggs was dealing with a shoulder issue before Week 3 that made his availability uncertain, and he hasn't exactly looked like his old self. There is likely zero chance that the injury has fully healed since Diggs took the field just a handful of days ago.
On top of Diggs' injury issues, strong safety Donovan Wilson has routinely been a subject of criticism for the mistakes he has made on the field, as well as the poorly timed celebrations he's enjoyed off of it. Kaiir Elam has endured his struggles as well. As noted by his overall Pro Football Focus grade of 54.7 through three games.
All of this is to say that Bland, and the steady presence that comes with him on the outside of the defense, is exactly what the Cowboys need to stop the season from becoming out of hand.