Cowboys rookie’s career will be heavily impacted by what happens in the next five days
The Dallas Cowboys rookie’s status is up in the air ahead of the team’s Week 18 against the New York Giants.
When the Dallas Cowboys selected running back Jaydon Blue with fifth-round draft pick in April, it was unclear what his role would be. Would he start, something head coach Brian Schottenheimer seemed open to the idea of, or would he be a RB2 or RB3 with a change of pace?
So far, he’s been neither. With the season about to end, Blue has played in four games and been a healthy scratch in 15. And ahead of the regular season finale, nothing is guaranteed. But Schottenheimer told reporters he would “love” to get a glimpse of Blue on the last gameday of the year.
Blue has a shot to play
For months now, Schottenheimer has cited “consistency” as the biggest issue holding back Blue, though the details have remained a behind the scenes secret. However, the consistency appears to be improving enough to the point of Blue having a chance to go next Sunday at MetLife Stadium when the Cowboys take on the New York Giants.
“I think the last couple weeks have been good weeks for him,” Schottenheimer said of Blue. “He’s been practicing harder and better, and if he continues on that path, there’s definitely a chance [for him to play].”
Playing could be gigantic for Blue
Though I’ll admit I’m about to read between the lines here, I have to say: It doesn’t sound like the Cowboys love what they got out of the Jaydon Blue draft pick. And if he can’t play a so-called “meaningless” game in Week 18 despite Javonte Williams and Malik Davis nursing injuries, it can’t be a good sign.
On the other hand, if he can get on the field and put some wow plays on film, it could be just what the doctor ordered to get back on the coaches’ good side before the 2026 offseason.
You see, it’s just not the normal course for a fifth-round draft pick like Blue to only play four games despite the running back room being far from loaded and then not even get a chance in a game like this Sunday’s.
Heck, even when the Cowboys endured injuries at running back, they turned to Davis, who was cut in late August and later brought back to the roster. Not to mention, the Cowboys haven’t shied away from telling the media that Blue hasn’t lived up to their expectations.
The good news is heading into the final stretch of practice, Schottenheimer had positive things to say about him.
“The electric ability that (Blue) has on the football field to finish and make big plays, he hasn’t lost that,” Schottenheimer said. “He is still a dynamic runner. He is learning the National Football League, and he’s learning what it takes to be great, and to not just be great and to have a good game or a good carry, but to sustain success. The way you sustain success is to be consistent and to do the standard all the time. So I think he is learning that.”
And yet, if Blue is going to turn things around, a solid Week 18 showing could go a long way.
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