Bland missed Week 2 with a foot injury; his Week 3 return is on the table, and his health could swing the Cowboys' secondary from leaky to serviceable. His presence raises the ceiling for Dallas’ pass defense and would impact fantasy output from cornerbacks and safeties.

DaRon Bland signed a four-year, $92 million extension, establishing him as a cornerstone of Dallas’ secondary and aligning his market value with the team’s long-term defensive plans. The deal strengthens Dallas’ perimeter coverage and creates cap room for additional premium players, reinforcing the club’s defensive identity through the late 2020s.

Bland suffered a foot injury and is at least a week away, thinning the Cowboys secondary and elevating opposing WR upside. His absence increases risk in Week 3 against Chicago and could influence Weeks 3-4 narrative as Dallas pressures to stabilize the back end.

Bland’s absence was felt as Dallas’ secondary struggled, highlighting a credible weakness in coverage. His return could restore confidence and structure, but for now, Elam and the rest must hold the line. The Week 3 matchup will reveal how much Dallas relies on Bland’s return to stabilize the unit.

DaRon Bland out; inexperienced replacements and scheme questions created coverage issues; the defense may need adjustments without him.