FRISCO, Texas — Caleb Downs said Friday that he has been watching Stefon Diggs on TV since he was about 12 years old. On Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys rookie faces Diggs and the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium.
Diggs signed with Washington on Aug. 5 after spending 2025 with the New England Patriots. He caught 4 passes for 55 yards and 1 touchdown in Washington’s 24-22 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1.
Diggs is a four-time Pro Bowl selection. In 2020 he was a first-team All-Pro and led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards with the Buffalo Bills.
Caleb Downs Prepares For Stefon Diggs, Jayden Daniels
Downs is focused on his fundamentals this week.
“Biggest challenge? I mean, it’s football,” Downs said. “Just making sure I’m prepared to play is the biggest challenge and making sure I’m solid on all the fundamentals I need to be solid on.”
He still plans to go out and compete against Diggs.
“He’s a vet, and I’ve been watching him on TV since I was probably 12 years old, so a lot of respect for that guy,” Downs explained. “But we’ve got to go out and compete and win.”
Jayden Daniels completed 18-of-34 passes for 164 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no interceptions against Philadelphia. Daniels was the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after Washington took him second overall that spring.
Assignment football is Downs’ approach to stopping him.
“Just assignment football,” Downs said. “Everybody’s just doing their job and executing their job.”
There are fewer quarterback runs at this level than in college. That does not change how Downs gets ready.
“At the end of the day, football is football,” Downs said. “Even if there’s not as many quarterback runs, you still have to prepare for it like they’re going to happen. So either way, you have to be ready for it.”
The Giants gained 394 yards and went 4-for-4 in the red zone against the defense of Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker in the opener. The week since has been about getting on the same page for Downs and that defense.
“Very intentional, very focused, trying to just be on the same page in everything that we do,” Downs said. “And that’s the biggest thing on defense, just communicating and being on the same page.”
Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles Meet Again After Ohio State
Sonny Styles and Downs were teammates at Ohio State in 2024 and 2025. They won the national championship after the 2024 season. Washington took Styles seventh overall in April, and Dallas took Downs 11th overall four picks later.
The two have already been in touch since the season started.
“I talked to him after our game last week,” Downs said.
Both teams are 0-1. Dallas leads the all-time series 81-47-2, according to the Commanders. Sunday’s meeting is the earliest Washington has visited Dallas in a season since 2006.
Kickoff is 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX. The Cowboys then face the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 27 at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro at 3:25 p.m. CT on CBS.
