Jaydon

Blue

Machota noted Blue’s pass-catching ability as the biggest reason for him to potentially see some work behind Williams. Blue caught 42 passes for 368 yards and six scores during his final season at Texas. He then flopped as a rookie, seeing just one catch and 38 carries in total. The bulk of his opportunities came in a meaningless Week 18 game. Still, Dallas did nothing to address their backfield depth this offseason and head coach Brian Schottenheimer has talked up Blue’s work ethic this time around. With a strong training camp, Blue could cement himself as a change-of-pace option for the Cowboys, putting him on the menu for fantasy drafters in deeper leagues.

Reporters noticed Williams was not participating in organized team activities last week. The Cowboys hosted their three-day mandatory minicamp this week, and it sounds like Williams was either limited or held out again today. Schottenheimer was asked whether this was due to Williams’ shoulder injury from last season or simply veteran maintenance. Fortunately, Schottenheimer said Williams is “in a great spot” and “looks great.” His absence was “more about getting the young guys some reps in this last full-speed practice.” It seems like the Cowboys are hoping that one of Blue or Mafah can step up and be a reliable backup. If one separates from the other, he will be a worthwhile late-round pick.

There has been a drumbeat around Blue being a big winner at Cowboys OTAs. Early last week, we heard that Blue was rotating in behind RB Phil Mafah, so this is a bit of a change. Schottenheimer was very complimentary of his second-year back and said he had a “very candid” exit interview with Blue after last season. Schottenheimer also referred to Blue as being “football brilliant.” After a disappointing rookie season, Blue has seemingly bought himself another chance to earn the RB2 role in training camp. Stay tuned.

Cowboys starting RB Javonte Williams was absent. Archer notes that fellow backups, RB Jaydon Blue and RB Malik Davis, also got some work. After backup RB Miles Sanders suffered a season-ending injury in Week 4 last season, Davis and Blue respectively served as the Cowboys’ RB2 and RB3. Mafah was limited to just 10 offensive snaps all season. It appears as though he is getting the chance to work his way up the depth chart behind Williams this summer.

“Even if [Javonte] Williams does not re-sign, the Cowboys will look to find a lead back in free agency,” Archer adds. Blue had a nice meaningless Week 18 game where he almost doubled his carry total for the season and scored, but we agree with Archer that it’s hard to view him as a potential 2026 lead back for the Cowboys at this point. Blue’s dynasty stock is well down from its 2025 preseason peak.

Despite being quickly identified as a “sleeper” after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Blue couldn’t find the field in Dallas this season. He came into the day with just 64 rushing yards on 22 carries, but was given a larger workload with Javonte Williams and Malik Davis both out in Week 18. Blue doubled up on yardage on the day and looked solid on a few explosive plays, but totaling 128 yards on 38 carries (3.37 yards per carry) is not how many saw the year going. With Javonte Williams heading into free agency, the Cowboys likely can’t feel comfortable relying on Blue as their locked-in starter in 2026.

With both Malik Davis and Javonte Williams ruled out, Blue will get a chance to showcase his future for the Cowboys in Week 18. It’s been mostly a lost year for Blue as he’s been active in just four games up to this point and managed just 22 carries for 63 yards on the ground, along with a fumble that sent him tumbling out of the rotation against the Broncos. It would be in Blue’s best interest to put up some good tape against the Giants to close out his rookie season on a good note.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters early on Wednesday that both Williams and RB Malik Davis (calf/eye) would be limited. Instead, the team listed both players with DNPs yesterday and today. Rookie RB Jaydon Blue could see a fantasy-friendly workload this week against the Giants.

Williams went down with a shoulder injury in Week 17 against the Commanders. He left in the second quarter and was listed as questionable to return but never did so. Malik Davis would be an option for the Cowboys, but his availability for Week 18 is also in doubt because of an eye issue. Jaydon Blue would be the next man up if both backs are ruled out for Week 18.

While the Cowboys have insisted that they’re playing their starters in Week 18, nothing in that guarantee says they’ll play most of the game. Javonte Williams (shoulder) left Week 17’s win over the Commanders, and Malik Davis is apparently also dealing with an eye injury. It’s possible that both start or get a limited runway and the Cowboys see what Blue can do, making Blue a Week 18 running back of interest. The fifth-round rookie hasn’t had a real role since October after a fumble against the Broncos.