Dan Quinn sports helmet during Dallas Cowboys practice Wednesday

It’s not uncommon to see a coach rocking gloves or cleats at practice. But, on Wednesday, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was spotted wearing a helmet as he helped his defense in a drill.

Cowboys DC Dan Quinn had the helmet on for today’s pass rushing drills. (Photo: Quinn vs. Randy Gregory) pic.twitter.com/rRs47wck07

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 13, 2021

“Today was the first practice that Dan Quinn wore a helmet,” The Athletic’s Jon Machota said. “Cowboys are expecting more cut blocks this week, so Quinn was putting more emphasis on that early in practice. Micah Parsons: ‘That’s the type of hands-on coach he is. My man put a helmet on and started diving at knees.'”

Randy Gregory was surprised by his defensive coordinator’s speed and strength.

“He was kind of cutting us a little faster and harder than I expected him to,” Gregory said via ESPN’s Ed Werder. “So you really had to protect yourself. He’s giving us a good look.”

Dan Quinn is in his first season as the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator, joining Mike McCarthy’s staff after nearly six seasons as head coach of Atlanta. Quinn was fired midway through the 2020 season after an 0-5 start to the season. Prior to his time with the Falcons, Quinn served as defensive coordinator for Seattle, notably leading the feared “Legion of Boom” Seahawks defense. In Quinn’s first season, the Seahawks led the league in fewest points allowed, fewest yards allowed, and takeaways.

The Cowboys are 4-1, and haven’t lost since a season-opening 31-29 loss to Tampa Bay. Quinn’s defense leads the league in interceptions, largely in part to Trevon Diggs’ six, with ten. Through five games, Quinn’s defense ranks sixth in total defensive DVOA, seventh in pass defense DVOA, and eighth in run defense DVOA. The Cowboys defense boasts the early leader for Defensive Rookie of the Year in Micah Parsons and the contender for Defensive Player of the Year in the aforementioned Trevon Diggs.

Diggs, the Cowboys’ 2020 second-round pick out of Alabama, was named September’s NFC Defensive Player of the Month just two weeks ago, and opposing quarterbacks are still throwing his way. It took Diggs just three games to tally as many interceptions as he did during his entire rookie season, and he doesn’t look to be slowing down.

Star wide receiver Amari Cooper, who practices against Diggs every day, praised the young defensive back for his competitive nature.

“I’ve been telling people about Diggs. I go against him, so I would know. Even if I win the rep, you can tell just by the competitiveness of the guy. If he does get beat in practice, he’s always right there,” Cooper said amidst Diggs’ interception streak. “He’s a ballhawk. He’s legit for sure.”

So far, Diggs has lived up to Cooper’s word. Opposing quarterbacks this season have a passer rating well below 40 when targeting Diggs. Though it is unlikely that the second-year star will be targeted much more the rest of the season.