Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs has intercepted four passes in five games against the Philadelphia Eagles. But the Cowboys will play the Eagles on Sunday without the former Alabama standout in their secondary.

Diggs tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at practice on Sept. 21 and is spending the remainder of his fourth NFL season on injured reserve.

“I was sad at first, but nothing I could do,” Diggs told reporters in the Dallas locker room on Thursday. “Now I just had to bring light to the situation. Like I said, everything happens for a reason. There’s a reason it happened, so I can’t be mad at it. Just got to roll with the punches and just get back.”

Diggs is working on returning in 2024. With Diggs entering the final season of his rookie contract in 2023, the Cowboys signed him in July to a five-year, $97 million contract extension.

“At first it was tough, but I’m used to it now,” Diggs said about his rehabilitation program. “Every day doing the same things, getting my routine down. Create structure in your life, create discipline, it makes you sit down a little bit and focus on what’s important.”

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Diggs said the injury gave him more time for football – at least, watching it.

“I just watch football all day – literally,” Diggs said. “All the games, just watch all football. I never got the chance to sit down and watch other teams, so I’ve just been taking my time doing that. …

“I learned a lot. I’m still learning. Just seeing the different pieces, looking at it from an outside lens, it’s just different. You get a different view of the game.”

Diggs joined the Cowboys from Alabama in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

In 2021, Diggs earned first-team All-Pro recognition as he intercepted 11 passes, the most in one season in the NFL in 40 years.

In 2022, Diggs repeated as a Pro Bowl selection.

In 2023, Diggs had allowed three completions on the nine passes thrown his way during his two games on the field. The completions gained 31 yards, and Diggs had one interception.

The Cowboys and Eagles kick off at 3:25 p.m. CST Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The Eagles have the best record in the NFL at 7-1. Dallas has a 5-2 record.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.