Caelen Carson is set to step up for the Dallas Cowboys in the third straight season where they have to replace an injured cornerback. If you don’t know his name yet, you might hear more about him soon.
In 2022, the Cowboys were missing nickel cornerback Jourdan Lewis for most of the season, and rookie DaRon Bland took his place. Bland went on to have a record-breaking 2023 season after Trevon Diggs was injured.
Carson is expected to start the first game of the season at Cleveland on Sunday. He’s a rookie fifth-round pick, filling in for Bland, who is out for at least the first four games due to foot surgery for a stress fracture.
Bland, also a rookie fifth-round pick, led Dallas with five interceptions two years ago.
“We’ve seen guys step in and become, I don’t want to say household names, because we don’t care about that,” safety Malik Hooker said. “There’s guys that built their confidence up, not only within themselves but with the organization and our team, with going out there and stepping in there and making plays.”
Since 2021, the Cowboys lead the NFL with 59 interceptions. Diggs had a standout season with 11 interceptions, tying a franchise record, and Dallas has made the playoffs each year with a 12-5 record.
Diggs was in his second year when he led the NFL in interceptions, and Bland did the same last season with nine interceptions.
It’s unusual to see such high numbers in back-to-back seasons with starting cornerbacks missing at least 10 games due to injuries.
“I don’t even think it’s circle the wagons,” Lewis said. “I feel like the production is still there regardless of whoever’s out. Trevon was out, (Bland) stepped up. We’re always going to turn the ball over. I feel like that’s a staple of what we do.”
Lewis had a complex foot injury two years ago that raised doubts about his return. It turned out to be fortunate that he did come back when Diggs tore a knee ligament in practice after just two games last season.
Bland had been feeling discomfort during training camp this summer, and the team announced his injury on the day of the preseason finale. By then, Carson had already made a name for himself with his work during the offseason and in California.
“He has a quiet confidence about himself,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “Since he’s arrived here, I haven’t seen him really take a step backward. He competes, very instinctive, very aware.”
Bland joined the Cowboys from Fresno State, which added to the interest since he was nearing an NFL record without the same college background as many teammates, including Diggs from Alabama.
Carson’s situation is similar; he played all four years at Wake Forest, despite the transfer portal being popular.
“I just feel like nothing changes,” Carson said. “More people, and it’s on television. But at the end of the day, you’ve been doing this since you were 5 years old.”
Before Bland’s injury, the Cowboys traded for Andrew Booth from Minnesota, swapping him for Nahshon Wright in a cornerback exchange. Booth, a third-year player, hadn’t lived up to expectations for the Vikings as a second-round pick in 2022.
Dallas also has fourth-year player Israel Mukuamu, who began his NFL career as a safety. Hooker recalls Mukuamu stepping in effectively at cornerback, which is his current position.
The rise of Bland made Wright, a third-round pick in 2021, unnecessary, and kept Mukuamu in a backup role. The Cowboys can use Bland’s experience to teach Carson and others.
“I think it’s definitely something you can point to,” McCarthy said. “And I think anytime you have a situation that occurs and you can point internally to how you’ve handled it, that’s part of that five-year growth that I’m talking about.”
