The Dallas Cowboys‘ running-back competition is about to get another potential player in the mix.
Running back Jaydon Blue was cleared to return to practice for the Cowboys as part of his recovery from an ankle and foot bruise.
Blue has not participated any of Dallas’ first two preseason games after sustaining the injury in training camp in California. But the fifth-round pick of this year’s draft from Texas is expected to get important reps against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday.
What Did Jaydon Blue Say About Returning To The Cowboys?
With Dallas in flux at the top of its running-back depth chart — aside from Blue, it is also working in veterans Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams, as well as Phil Mafah and Deuce Vaughn — Blue has been unable to make an impression since injuring his lower leg in early August.
But being on the field is a good start, and Blue is looking ahead to getting game reps against the Falcons.
“It felt great being back out here,” Blue said after Tuesday’s practice, according to Cowboys.com. “I was having a great camp before I went down. I know a lot of these guys and the coaches know what I can do on the football field. I’m just ready to showcase that in a game this Friday.”
Watching from the sidelines has been tough, but practicing will get old fast too. Luckily, Blue will get to take his pent-up aggression against players that are not his teammates.
“I’m feeling great. I feel like I’m back to myself,” Blue said. “I had to sit for the past two weeks. I’m just ready to get on the field and be able to play against a different team.”
What Are The Cowboys Getting In Jaydon Blue?
Blue is just 5-9, 196 pounds, but he can bring a unique element to the Cowboys, especially considering their running game was nonexistent in 2024.
He ran a sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash (4.38) at the NFL Combine and has shown he can be a three-down back in college. Blue had 730 rushing yards along with 42 catches for 368 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns for the Longhorns last season.
“I bring a lot of things to the table,” Blue said. “Not only at the running back position, but in the passing game.”
The Cowboys ranked 27th in rushing yards (1,705) and tied for 30th in yards per carry (4.0) a season ago, which is part of why they replaced head coach Mike McCarthy with rookie Brian Schottenheimer during the off-season and overhauled their RBs room.
So Blue is expected to make an impact there. Yet, how much of an effect he has depends on his ability to stay on the field. But if Blue does what he knows he is capable of, he feels the rest will take care of itself.
“I say control you, and let God do a lot of things,” Blue said. “I just try my best to perform how way I do on the field, so that I can make that job easy for the coaches.”
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