“I think a camp is more realistic,” said Stephen Jones, executive vice president and director of player personnel for the 2024 NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
If either Diggs or Overshawn are placed on the PUP list in July, they will not be eligible to practice until removed from the list. If he remains after the final roster cuts in late August, he will be moved to reserve and will be forced to miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
Thankfully, both players are currently far from the worst-case scenario of potentially being sidelined until October.
Diggs is at a stage in his recovery where he no longer requires equipment or braces of any kind as he rehabilitates his surgically repaired knee, and Overshawn has been in the same space for the past few weeks, with both increasing their respective workloads. It's starting. Albeit cautiously along with the Cowboys' training staff.
Working in their favor, so to speak, was the fact that Obershawn was injured in August and Diggs was injured shortly after in September, and both were left out for nearly a year before the team boarded a chartered flight to Oxnard. recovery and rehabilitation were required.
The world knows what Diggs brings to the table, and if Overshawn can pick up where he left off with electric training camp and the first preseason, the sky is the limit for the young linebacker.
“Looking at the injuries they sustained, I think they're going to be out working.” [in OTAs] But participating in team activities is probably achievable,” Jones added. “They're certainly progressing well. If there's good news on both injuries — if there's good news on the injuries. [torn] The ACL ended early on.”
First lecture since tearing anterior cruciate ligament in November On a fateful Thursday afternoon in the lead-up to Week 3's game against the Arizona Cardinals, Diggs offered insight into the mental side of his return.
“It was hard at first, but now I'm used to it. It's just doing the same thing every day. Just having a routine and having the structure and discipline to focus on what's important,” said the two-time Pro Bowler. he said before explaining. How he has used his time off for more than just recovery.
Instead, he's obsessed with honing the intellectual side of his record-setting skillset.
“I literally just watch football all day,” said the All-Pro corner and former NFL interceptions leader. “I've never really had a chance to sit down and watch other teams. I'm trying to take the time to read some books and find new hobbies. I just take it all day by day.”
“I learned a lot [by watching other teams]. I'm still studying. Looking at various works is completely different from looking at them from an outside lens. You have a different perspective on the game. ”
Other players stepped in to fill the void left by Diggs' injury, with Daron Brand having a record-setting season of his own and Stephon Gilmore performing at a consistently high level alongside a fully-recovered Jordan Lewis. Ta.
But with the latter two facing free agency, Diggs' return will be that much more valuable, but he will continue to take it one day at a time, enjoying his progress and not forcing unexpected setbacks. right.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Diggs said in November. “I just have to roll with the punches. It's all in God's plan. I just have to get healthy and come back stronger and get ready for next year.”
Both players will be welcomed back onto the field with open arms, and both will be with new teams. [and former Cowboys’] defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer; But again, the recipe is to take it all at once and in one day.
But now I have no problem living my days and weeks with optimism.
