Miles

Sanders

It’s a season-ending injured reserve stint for Sanders per Cowboys.com’s Patrik Walker. That puts Jaydon Blue into a firm backup role ahead of Week 6’s game against the Panthers and makes him at least an interesting bench spot behind Javonte Williams, even if Week 5 showed the Cowboys aren’t ready to give Blue a real role yet. It’s big news for both Williams and Blue in a positive sense — at least for Week 6. Dallas will probably elevate a third back from the practice squad and perhaps sign someone ahead of Week 7. Sanders was playing on a one-year contract and figures to be a fixture in that market again next season. He showed enough with the Cowboys to perhaps be given an invitation back.

While it is possible that this is a rest day, it appears as though Sanders may have suffered a setback. He practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday. If Sanders is unable to play in Week 6 against the Panthers, it would give rookie RB Jaydon Blue another uncontested opportunity to operate as the Cowboys’ No. 2 running back behind Javonte Williams. Blue should be stashed on benches at this time. He notably fared well in pass protection last week, which yields no fantasy points but goes a long way toward earning the coaching staff’s trust.

Sanders missed Week 5 with the injury combo. In turn, rookie running back Jaydon Blue was active for the first time this year. Blue only saw four carries and ran for just seven yards. No matter who the backup is, Javonte Williams has a stranglehold on the backfield touches in Dallas.

Rookie Jaydon Blue will back up Javonte Williams in Sunday’s game against the Jets. Blue makes for an interesting fantasy stash heading into Week 5, but fantasy managers should resist any urges to slot him into their fantasy lineups. In addition to Sanders, the Cowboys also declared OT Tyler Guyton (concussion), WR CeeDee Lamb (ankle), OG Tyler Booker (ankle), WR KaVontae Turpin (foot), DE Marshawn Kneeland (ankle), and DT Jay Toia inactive for Week 5.

Sanders did not practice all week, leading us to believe he’s on the doubtful side of questionable. Jaydon Blue is “expected” to make his debut this week according to ESPN’s Todd Archer, and that would make more sense if Sanders was actually down. Sanders hurt himself during Sunday Night’s game against the Packers and never returned.

Sanders left Week 4 with the ankle injury in the first half and did not return. His absence from Wednesday’s practice puts him on the wrong side of questionable for Week 5 against the Jets. Assuming he can’t suit up, rookie Jaydon Blue will be in line to finally see some action after being a healthy scratch for the first month of the year. Blue is worth stashing in deeper leagues, though he isn’t going to threaten Javonte Williams for the starting role anytime soon.

Sanders was escorted to the locker room ahead of the half with an ankle injury and was deemed questionable to return after the break. Sideline reporter Melissa Stark said he is going to try to return to the game. Sanders managed eight yards on two carries and 17 yards on two receptions prior to departing. Backfield depth is an issue if Sanders can’t make it back on the field with only Javonte Williams and fullback Hunter Luepke active for Week 4.

Another mostly inoffensive run for Sanders, who is benefiting from Dallas’ running scheme. Sanders saw 27 of 74 snaps this week, a tenfold increase from Week 2, largely because the Cowboys were trailing and he got run with the game out of reach. He remains an interesting bench stash, but little more than that without the right matchup. Playing the Packers is not the right matchup. Good talk.

He took 17 of 76 snaps and managed a six-yard score in a red zone sequence. There’s nothing here to suggest that Sanders is actually playing well, but he would appear to be a solid use of a deep-league Waiting Room roster spot given how far the inactive Jaydon Blue looks from being on the field and how well Dallas’ offensive line is run blocking so far.

Sanders “added” a -3 yard reception. As usual, Sanders’ good was all too vividly accompanied by the bad. Third quarter patience and explosiveness allowed him to find then hit a huge hole on the perimeter for a 49-yard gain, but he followed it up five plays later with a soft red zone fumble. The game then went into a lightning delay and Sanders wasn’t heard from upon the contest’s resumption. With Jaydon Blue a “healthy scratch” following an injury-marred training camp, Sanders was getting a looksee as the No. 2 back, but he might not get another opportunity in Week 2 against the Giants if Blue is ready to go.