In the first game between Dallas and Philadelphia this season, Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs intercepted two passes, the first pair of his NFL career. But having another interception in NFC East rivals’ rematch on Sunday could mean even more for Diggs.
The former Alabama highlight intercepted Philadelphia quarterback Carson Wentz in the November 1 game. Two weeks ago, the Eagles replaced Wentz in the starting lineup with Jalen Hurts, who played with Diggs for three seasons at Crimson Tide.
Diggs said he made “many memories” with Hurts in Tuscaloosa and thought he might have an advantage in the game because of his knowledge of newcomer QB.
“I know a lot about Jalen,” said Diggs during a news conference on Wednesday. “This is one of my good friends. Me being with him, we came together, we went out all the time. The difference (from Wentz) is that he can use his feet to extend his moves. He is fast. He’s a hard worker. He is a good player. A great leader. Looking forward to it. …
“This is always the main objective, always to generate turnovers and such. But with him, especially with him being one of my good friends and all, time to call him. “
PHILADELPHIA QB JALEN DOES STAY AWAY FROM ‘RAT VENOM
Diggs and Hurts are among the 63 former Alabama players who appeared in the regular season NFL games in the 2020 campaign, a record for the school.
Diggs is especially looking forward to another Alabama player joining the league – cornerback Patrick Surtain II, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a Chuck Bednarik Award finalist as the country’s defensive player of the year and the Jim Thorpe Award as the the country’s best defensive back this season.
“This is my little brother,” said Diggs. “He is a great person, a great player, competitive. He’s got everything you’re looking for in a corner, so I’m really excited for him and his journey and, hopefully – I don’t know, we’ll see. But I’m really excited for him and wherever he goes and wherever his journey takes him, but he is a very good person and a very good player, so whoever catches him is really lucky. “
In the game after Diggs eliminated Wentz twice, he broke a bone in his foot playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He lost four games before returning on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
Even though he didn’t start the game and his 43 clicks were the lowest of the season, Diggs said he was “happy and excited” to be back on the pitch.
“It was definitely important for me to come back,” said Diggs. “Keep working and fighting, doing the things that I should do outside the field to be able to return. That was my main goal – to end the season with my boys and hard. And that is just the mission that I am going to now. “
Even though Diggs has lost four games, his 2020 statistic totals 53 tackles, two interceptions, 11 saved passes and a sack can be matched by just three other NFL players this season – New York Jets safety Marcus Maye, Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore and Buffalo Bills’ cornerback, Tre’Davious White.
Diggs said that his first season in the NFL gave him confidence that he could make his mark on the Cowboys.
“I feel like the sky is the limit,” said Diggs. “I am going to take me where I want. I have the ability to do exactly what I’m trying to do and exactly what I want to do, so it’s up to me how I do it. As I said before, the sky is the limit, and I’m trying to take myself as high as I can, as far as I can. I feel like I can do this. “
The Cowboys and Eagles start at 15:25 CST on Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
NFL WEEK 16: CALENDAR, TV, ODDS
Although Dallas has a 5-9 record and Philadelphia has a 4-9-1 mark, neither is out of the postseason race yet. But if the Washington Football Team, which leads the NFC East with a 6-8 record, defeats the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, the Cowboys and Eagles will be eliminated from the playoff contest.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @ AMarkG1.
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