Dallas ruled out DaRon Bland for Sunday against the Giants with a foot injury, offering little clarity on a return timeline. The Cowboys won’t IR him yet, signaling a likely return before four weeks if possible. With Bland out, Reddy Steward projects as the primary slot man, aided by familiarity with Cowboys coaches from Chicago and the Bears connection to their staff. Zion Childress could get a look from the practice squad or safety-based packages could be deployed. Dallas hits a testy stretch: Giants, Bears, Packers, Jets.

Steward’s path is shaded by past stints with Matt Eberflus, Andre Curtis and David Overstreet in Chicago, which should ease his transition. The plan will hinge on how quickly Bland can return, and how the defense adjusts to cover the slot without their top nickel option. The timeline remains fluid, but the approach centers on depth and smart matchups.