Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs passed his physical and was activated from the physically unable to perform list, clearing him for Dallas’ first padded practice of the summer on Tuesday.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said before practice the Cowboys would “smartly” get Diggs back into the mix in hopes of preserving their No. 1 cornerback for the regular season. Without Diggs for the final four months of the season and playoffs, the Cowboys welcomed the breakout campaign of Pro Bowl cornerback DaRon Bland.

McCarthy said he knew Diggs missed being on the field.

“Of course he missed it. No one wants to sit in a classroom all day,” McCarthy quipped.

Diggs tore the ACL in his left knee during a practice before Week 3 last season.

Barring a setback, the Cowboys expect Diggs to be ready for the season opener Sept. 8 against the Cleveland Browns.

Diggs, 25, is a two-time Pro Bowl selection who led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 2021, his second season in the league. He had one interception and one forced fumble in his first two games of 2023 before his injury.

In 47 games (46 starts) for the Cowboys since he was drafted in the second round in 2020 out of Alabama, Diggs has collected 18 picks (two returned for touchdowns), 52 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and 173 tackles.

–Field Level Media