Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer started his Friday press conference with a surprise announcement: Cornerback Trevon Diggs will not play in Saturday’s game against the Washington Commanders.

“Trevon Diggs came in this morning with some concussion symptoms after having an accident at his home,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s been checked out by our doctors and is in the (concussion) protocol and will miss the game.”

Schottenheimer said he didn’t have any information about how Diggs got hurt at home.

Diggs’ absence might open the way for more playing time for another player with Alabama football roots. An Alabama alumnus, Diggs is a two-time Pro Bowler. A Lanett High School alumnus, Trikweze Bridges was a three-time All-State selection for the Panthers, including the undefeated 2017 AHSAA Class 2A championship team.

A seventh-round selection from Florida in the NFL Draft on April 26, Bridges has played 26 defensive snaps, with none in the past three games, as a rookie. But Schottenheimer mentioned Bridges when discussing the Cowboys’ options to replace Diggs.

“It’s a part of the business,” Schottenheimer said. “It’s unfortunate. I obviously want what’s best for Trevon and certainly am wishing him well, but again, next man up. We’ve got guys that we’re excited about getting a chance to evaluate. You know, Trikweze Bridges is showing some really good things. …

“This is the NFL, and if you’re unsure of what’s going to happen, just wait because something’s going to happen and you deal with it, and you don’t you don’t lose sleep over it. But like I said, the biggest thing is just the concern for Trevon that he’s OK, which seems like he is.”

The Los Angeles Chargers drafted Bridges. When they waived the cornerback at the end of the preseason during the roster reduction to the regular-season limit of 53 active players, Dallas picked up Bridges as a waiver claim.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

The Cowboys have lost Diggs as they’re working toward defensive improvement. Through the first six weeks of the season, Dallas gave more yards than any other team and more points than all but one team in the NFL.

“It doesn’t change,” Schottenheimer said of the Cowboys’ defensive game plan without Diggs. “We adjust always when you get into game day anyways. But no, it doesn’t change. It’s a good plan. I like the plan. We have to go out and execute the plan. And, like I said, it’s going to come down to us going out and playing well against a really good — I almost said the old name — the Commanders offense.”

Diggs put his home on the market this summer, asking $4.4 million for the 9,787-square-foot house in Frisco, Texas. In August, the price was reduced to $4 million for the six-bedroom, eight-bathroom home.

The Cowboys and Commanders square off at 3:25 p.m. CDT Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.