ARLINGTON — DaRon Bland lacked advance notice.
A couple minutes before the Cowboys exited their locker room for pregame ceremonies and the kickoff, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn found the rookie fifth-round pick, Bland said, and notified him that he’d be the top nickel cornerback against the Washington Commanders.
Jourdan Lewis typically handles the bulk of those first-team reps in practice.
Bland did not play a defensive snap in the Cowboys’ first three games.
“My mindset was this is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for,” Bland said. “It’s something that I was hoping God would bless me with, the opportunity to make some plays.”
Lewis was in uniform but didn’t play because of a groin injury that presumably happened during pregame warmups. That left Bland to step in, and he delivered by intercepting a fourth-quarter pass that sealed the Cowboys’ 25-10 win at AT&T Stadium.
Bland impressed in the spring and during training camp, having the look of the Cowboys’ best young cornerback. Kelvin Joseph, a 2021 second-round pick, has developed into a stout special teamer, and he is also more naturally suited for outside cornerback rather than the slot.
“I think you’re just seeing what we see every day from DaRon,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “What a fine young player. You could just see it in training camp. He’s picked up the system seamlessly, beyond his years. Maturity wise, he’s done an excellent job on special teams.
“It was great to see him step up with his opportunities. I was very proud of him today.”
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