The Dallas Cowboys' cornerback room is starting to take shape—and not a moment too soon. With the regular season looming, this crucial position group is finally inching toward full health, and the team is making a few smart moves to patch any lingering holes.
Let’s kick things off with a major update that fans have been eagerly waiting for: Trevon Diggs is on track for a September return. The All-Pro corner, who suffered a heartbreaking knee injury last year, has been grinding behind the scenes and is now eyeing a comeback in time for the 2025 season opener. If Diggs returns to form, he’ll give the Cowboys defense the lockdown presence it’s been missing since his injury.
And he’s not the only one working his way back.
Shavon Revel, Jr., the highly-touted rookie who had fans buzzing after the draft, has officially graduated out of the rehab group. That’s a huge sigh of relief for Cowboys Nation, especially since his raw athleticism and instincts turned heads during OTAs—even while limited. Another young gun, Caelen Carson, continues to recover steadily from offseason shoulder surgery, and the staff remains optimistic about his trajectory.
Meanwhile, DaRon Bland—now a new father—returned to practice this week. Talk about balancing dad duties and NFL camp grind! Bland’s comeback to the field couldn’t be better timed, and his maturity off the field seems to be showing up in his game.
In another development that has folks inside The Star paying close attention, former first-rounder Kaiir Elam is making a solid impression. Elam, who arrived via a March trade that raised a few eyebrows at the time, is starting to show signs of the potential that once made him a top prospect. He’s aggressive, fast, and looking more comfortable in Dan Quinn’s scheme by the day.
But here’s the deal: cornerback is a position where you can never have enough depth.
Even with rising talents and veterans returning from injury, the Cowboys’ secondary still feels a little thin. There’s Andrew Booth, Josh Butler, and Robert Rochell battling for a spot, but it’s fair to say none have firmly locked up a backup role. Given how physically demanding and injury-prone the position is, you can’t afford to roll into the season with uncertainty.
So the Cowboys front office went back to the well.
According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Cowboys have signed Christian Matthew, adding another layer of depth to the cornerback corps. It's not a blockbuster move, but it could be a sneaky smart one.
Let’s talk about Matthew’s journey—because it's one of persistence.
The 28-year-old corner started his NFL story as a seventh-round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals back in 2022. Not exactly a headline-grabbing selection, but Matthew quietly carved out a role for himself. He appeared in 18 games over two seasons, contributing on both defense and special teams before being waived in October 2023.
That’s when Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus scooped him up for the practice squad. He eventually suited up in two late-season games, although his contributions were mostly limited to special teams.
Still, Eberflus clearly saw something he liked.
Fast forward to 2025, and now that same coach is giving Matthew another shot—this time in Dallas. With Eberflus now part of the Cowboys organization, it seems he vouched for the Valdosta State alum, hoping to see if Matthew can stick around and offer insurance against future injuries.
And he’s not alone. After Monday’s practice, the Cowboys reportedly worked out four defensive backs, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. The list included Matthew, as well as Thomas Graham, Harrison Hand, and Christian Holmes. Interestingly, both Graham and Hand were also part of the Bears’ DB room under Eberflus, hinting at a deeper evaluation process happening behind the scenes.
As for Christian Holmes, he’s spent time with the Commanders and Giants over the past three seasons. All four are in the mix, but it’s Matthew who got the call-up—for now.
This move isn’t just about patching a hole—it could be strategic. Training camp and preseason games are brutal, especially on DBs who are constantly shifting and cutting. Having an extra body with NFL game experience—even if it’s minimal—is a smart hedge against potential setbacks for the likes of Diggs, Bland, or Carson.
And hey, every camp has its Cinderella story, right? Maybe Christian Matthew can be this year’s surprise breakout.
Here are a few quick takeaways Cowboys fans should keep in mind:
🔹 Depth is everything in the secondary. The Diggs injury last year was a brutal reminder.
🔹 Kaiir Elam is heating up. If he keeps this up, the trade might just look like a steal.
🔹 Shavon Revel Jr. and Carson are names to circle. Their development could define the defense's ceiling in 2025.
🔹 Veteran presence matters. Even if Matthew’s role is limited to special teams, that’s still an important contribution when every inch counts.
🔹 Don't overlook the Eberflus connection. His familiarity with Matthew and others may quietly shape the back end of the roster.
Cowboys fans—get ready. Between the talent returning from injury, intriguing new additions, and guys hungry to prove themselves, this cornerback room might just become one of the more fascinating position battles of the summer.
And who knows? With the way things are lining up, we might just be talking about Christian Matthew as more than just a depth signing by the time Week 1 rolls around.
Login