It’s unfortunate for him but in some ways, Cowboys free-agent signing Miles Sanders symbolizes the problem running backs have had in getting big paydays in the NFL. Too often, running backs who star in their first four seasons fade quickly after that, and few are still useful by the time they pass their 28th birthday.
That means you play your first four years under your rookie contract, then scramble to get a second contract and probably retire before a third contract comes in.
Sanders, a Pro Bowler in 2022 when he rushed for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns with the Eagles, signed a one-year minimum contract with Dallas before the season, tallied 117 yards in four games in 2025, but was coping with knee and ankle injuries, and did not play in Week 5 against the Jets.
On Friday, team VP Stephen Jones told Dallas radio that Sanders would be placed on the season-ending injured reserve. He will need knee surgery.
Cowboys Eager to See Rookie
The loss of Sanders will test the depth of what has been a surprisingly effective running-back group through the opening weeks of the season. Dallas has gained 672 yards on the ground, which is eighth in the NFL, and scored seven rushing touchdowns, which is fourth. Their average rush goes for 5.4 yards, which also ranks No. 4.
The RB1 is Javonte Williams, who has gone for 447 yards, third in the NFL. The loss of Sanders means that rookie fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue will see more opportunities.
“We’re so fired up about what Jaydon Blue can do for this offense,” Jones told the Dallas station.
Sam Hodde/GettyJaydon Blue #34 of the Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys Want Jaydon Blue Focused
Blue has been a tantalizing prospect for the Cowboys all season, with tremendous speed and versatility out of the backfield. He was never the star back in college at Texas, but he made his mark, rushing for 730 yards on 133 carries, and adding 368 yards receiving on 42 catches.
But he captured attention with a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine, and Dallas felt he was a steal in the fifth round.
Once he was at The Star, though, the Cowboys were not happy with his practice habits, so Blue was inactive in the first four weeks to start the year. He got some stern lectures from coach Brian Schottenheimer.
“Making sure I am finishing the right way in practices. Practicing hard,” Blue said that Schottenheimer advised him. “Staying in the playbook and just making sure I am doing the small details right so I can be able to perform at the highest level. He talked to me maybe about two weeks ago and let me know that I need to be more consistent because the talent level was there.
“He told me to be more consistent. I just knew that in order to get on the field, I was going to have to change some of the things I did and just practice a little harder.” Blue played
Blue played 11 snaps on offense and three on special teams on Sunday.
Miles Sanders to Have Surgery
As for Sanders, it appears that knee surgery is in his future, and again, that will certainly put the remainder of his career in doubt. Sanders was a second-round pick out of Penn State in 2019, and turned 28 in May.
ESPN’s Todd Archer reported: “According to multiple sources, RB Miles Sanders needs a chondral tissue graft on his left knee in which pieces of bone and cartilage were transplanted into the affected area to improve the joint. CB Trevon Diggs had similar surgery in January.”
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