It had been a rough season for Diggs, who missed eight games on the bench with a concussion. Diggs would later reveal that he was injured in an incident at home, when a television mounting pole fell on his head. He also struggled with a knee injury this season.
Both before and after the injury, Diggs’ game was rocky, giving up catches and being mishandled.
According to Pelissero, Diggs’ release was not the result of a single incident but the culmination of many factors over time — both performance and other factors.
The Cowboys signed Diggs to a five-year, $97 million extension in July 2023, as the cornerback came off back-to-back Pro Bowl nods and a 2021 first-team All-Pro selection. Since payday, injuries have plagued Diggs. He has played in just 21 games over the last three seasons, including just two in 2023 before suffering an ACL injury.
With a $14.5 million base salary in 2026 but no guaranteed money on the contract, Diggs was likely to be cut in the offseason. Dallas decided not to wait that long to part with the 2020 second-round pick.
The 27-year-old is headed for waivers. If he opts out, Diggs would be eligible to sign with any club. His game has been rocky, but given the cornerbacks on playoff teams, he could find a landing spot with a club that will continue to play beyond Week 18.