Cowboys Starter Ruled Out Versus Vikings

On Sunday Night Football, the Minnesota Vikings will be under the primetime lights against the Dallas Cowboys. Minnesota is coming off a commanding shutout victory over Washington.

Brian Schottenheimer’s team still has plenty to play for, with its playoff hopes very much alive. That’s not the case for Kevin O’Connell’s squad, which faces elimination with a loss.

Dallas received good news earlier this week when star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb cleared concussion protocol. However, the Cowboys will be without one of their top defenders.

Trevon Diggs Remains Sidelined Against Vikings

Trevon Diggs, the brother of former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs, has missed significant time for Dallas this season. He has been out for the the past six games while dealing with concussion and knee issues and will remain sidelined Sunday against Minnesota.

Sources: #Cowboys All-Pro CB Trevon Diggs will not play Sunday vs the Vikings.

This comes after what was described to me as a “great week of practice,” while multiple sources tell me the relationship between Diggs and the organization has “soured” and “been severed.”

Diggs,… pic.twitter.com/ncFINVrMbn

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 13, 2025

Despite being activated from injured reserve, and last appearing in Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers, Diggs will not be active for the Cowboys this weekend. For a Vikings offense in need of any advantage it can get, his absence is a definite boost.

Diggs is in his sixth NFL season and has recorded 18 tackles this year. He has not registered an interception or a pass defended in 2025, with his impact severely limited by his inability to stay on the field.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has struggled to develop consistently this season. While he completed 69.6% of his passes last weekend, McCarthy threw for just 163 yards on 23 attempts.

It would benefit O’Connell’s offense if McCarthy can connect with his star wide receiver early and often. That task becomes easier with Diggs unavailable. Justin Jefferson has just 810 receiving yards on the season and is coming off two games in which he totaled only 15 yards combined.

How McCarthy performs against a Dallas defense missing one of its key starters will be telling. Minnesota continues to evaluate what its quarterback room will look like next season, and what type of player it may need to add moving forward.