BREAKING: Cowboys’ Jerry Jones Makes Eye-Opening Comment on Trevon Diggs’ Rehab

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has stirred controversy with pointed remarks about star cornerback Trevon Diggs’ approach to injury rehabilitation, raising eyebrows among fans and analysts. Speaking on April 24, 2025, during a post-NFL Draft press conference, Jones offered an update on Diggs’ recovery from a recent knee surgery but included a subtle jab at the two-time Pro Bowler’s past rehab efforts. The comments, reported by multiple outlets, have sparked debate about Diggs’ commitment, the Cowboys’ training staff, and the team’s expectations for their All-Pro defender as they prepare for the 2025 season.

The Context: Diggs’ Injury Woes

Trevon Diggs, 26, has endured a challenging two years marked by significant injuries. In 2023, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during a Week 3 practice, limiting him to just two games. After a lengthy rehab, Diggs returned for the 2024 season but was hampered by knee cartilage issues, playing only 11 games before undergoing chondral bone graft surgery on January 23, 2025. The procedure, which involves transplanting bone and cartilage to repair joint damage, requires a rigorous six-to-nine-month recovery, potentially sidelining Diggs for the start of the 2025 season, possibly on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

Diggs’ injury history has been a blow to the Cowboys, who signed him to a five-year, $97 million extension in 2023, making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid cornerbacks. His 2021 season, where he led the league with 11 interceptions, including two pick-sixes, showcased his elite ball-hawking ability, earning him First-Team All-Pro honors. However, his limited play since—13 games over two seasons—has raised concerns about his durability and the team’s reliance on him as a cornerstone of their secondary.

Jones’ Eye-Opening Comment

Addressing Diggs’ current rehab, Jones offered a mix of optimism and critique, suggesting the cornerback’s past approach to recovery may have contributed to his recurring injuries. “We have a good idea [of his return timeline],” Jones said, via Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News. “He’s working hard. That’s very important because if he will be very good and diligent in his rehab process, then he’ll get back quicker, and he will arrive when he does get back, sounder than if he has not worked as hard. He’s more subject to injury. He’s learned that one time.”

The remark, particularly the line “He’s learned that one time,” was widely interpreted as a jab at Diggs’ handling of his 2023 ACL rehab. Reports indicate that Diggs did not rehab full-time at the Cowboys’ team facility, The Star, during that period, a decision that frustrated the team’s medical staff. Watkins noted “some frustrations” among trainers, suggesting Diggs’ absence may have hindered his recovery and left him vulnerable to the 2024 knee cartilage injury. Jones’ comments imply that Diggs is now taking a more disciplined approach, working closely with the Cowboys’ staff under the guidance of Dr. Sharif Tabbah at Alkeme Sports RX in Florida.

Jones reiterated the importance of Diggs’ diligence, stating, “My point is, I have a lot of hope that his actual rehab and experience from the time before is really helping him out, and I think it has.” The Cowboys’ owner expressed confidence in Diggs’ progress, noting that his current rehab is “going smoothly” and that the team is optimistic about his eventual return to form. However, the public rebuke has fueled speculation about tension between Jones and Diggs, with some questioning whether the cornerback’s lucrative contract is under scrutiny.

Fan and Analyst Reactions

The comments ignited a firestorm on social media, particularly on X, where fans and analysts debated Jones’ intent and Diggs’ commitment. A post by @calvinwatkins read, “Trevon Diggs is rehabbing from a severe knee injury. Jerry Jones is mindful of how Diggs worked last year in rehab,” accompanied by a link to the Dallas Morning News story, garnering thousands of interactions. Another user, @DomWWhite, quipped, “Playing around with rehab the first time was playing around with Jerry’s money,” reflecting sentiment that Diggs’ $97 million deal comes with heightened expectations.

Critics of Jones argued that publicly calling out a player risks undermining team morale. A Reddit thread on r/cowboys labeled the remark a “brutal shot,” with one user commenting, “Jerry’s ego always has to make it about him. Why not just say Trevon’s working hard and leave it at that?” Others defended Jones, citing Diggs’ injury history and the need for accountability. “Diggs didn’t rehab at The Star last time, and look what happened,” another user wrote. “Jerry’s just saying what the staff feels.”

Analysts offered mixed perspectives. Yardbarker called Jones’ comment “harsh,” noting it confirmed rumors of Dallas’ displeasure with Diggs’ previous rehab efforts. NBC Sports highlighted the Cowboys’ reliance on Diggs, stating, “The Cowboys need Diggs to be at his best, as he is an elite cornerback when healthy.” Conversely, Sports Illustrated criticized Jones for centering himself in the narrative, suggesting his need to “put himself in the center of everything” reflects a questionable team culture.

The Cowboys’ Training Staff and Rehab Process

Jones’ remarks also spotlighted the Cowboys’ training staff, considered among the NFL’s best despite recent criticism. In the 2024 NFLPA survey, players gave the staff a C grade, ranking 30th out of 32 teams, with complaints about insufficient physical therapists and outdated treatment modalities. Jones acknowledged the criticism, saying, “It surprised us, but that’s OK. We’ve jumped right in there and got on it strong.” Chief operating officer Stephen Jones defended the staff, asserting, “We still think they’re the best in the league.”

Diggs’ current rehab, guided by Dr. Tabbah, involves weight-bearing activities like bosu ball exercises to regain balance and coordination, a milestone in his recovery. Tabbah, who has worked with Cowboys’ wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, emphasized a patient approach, stating, “It’s too early to talk about a return date. We’re taking it day by day.” Videos shared by Tabbah on March 24, 2025, show Diggs’ progress, with the cornerback displaying a positive attitude despite the grueling process.

The chondral bone graft surgery, described by Dr. Andreas Gomoll of the Hospital for Special Surgery, typically requires six months of recovery, though Diggs’ timeline remains uncertain due to the injury’s severity and his prior ACL tear. The Cowboys are cautious, wary of rushing Diggs back after his 2024 setbacks, which included a calf tear initially misdiagnosed as tightness.

Strategic Implications for 2025

Diggs’ rehab is critical for a Cowboys team looking to rebound from a disappointing 2024 season, where injuries to key players like Diggs, DaRon Bland, and DeMarvion Overshown contributed to a 7-10 record. The team bolstered its secondary in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. in the third round as insurance for Diggs and Bland. Jones clarified that Revel was not a replacement but a complement, with the trio potentially forming a formidable trio alongside Bland, who led the NFL with nine interceptions in 2023.

However, Jones’ comments have raised questions about Diggs’ long-term role. The Landry Hat speculated that Revel’s selection might signal doubts about Diggs’ reliability, with one analyst suggesting, “We might be looking at the future starter opposite DaRon Bland out there with Diggs being a total flop as a big-money player in a worst-case scenario.” The Cowboys’ cautious approach, as noted by ClutchPoints, prioritizes Diggs’ long-term health, but his absence could force reliance on younger players like Revel and undrafted free agent Zion Childress early in 2025.

A Make-or-Break Moment

Jerry Jones’ eye-opening comment has cast a spotlight on Trevon Diggs’ rehab, amplifying the stakes for his recovery and the Cowboys’ 2025 season. While Jones expressed hope that Diggs’ newfound diligence will lead to a full recovery, the public critique has fueled debate about accountability versus morale. Fans on X remain divided, with some praising Jones’ candor and others decrying his approach as divisive.

For Diggs, the path ahead is clear: a disciplined rehab is essential to reclaim his status as one of the NFL’s elite cornerbacks. With the Cowboys’ training staff and Dr. Tabbah guiding his recovery, and the team bolstering its secondary, Diggs has the support to return stronger. Yet, Jones’ words linger, a reminder that in Dallas, expectations are as high as the stakes. As the 2025 season looms, all eyes are on Diggs to prove he’s learned from the past and is ready to anchor the Cowboys’ defense once more.