Sam Hodde/Getty

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 16: Jaydon Blue #34 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on prior to the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

A promising rookie for the Dallas Cowboys has yet to suit up in a regular-season NFL game. Fifth-round rookie speedster Jaydon Blue was banged up with ankle and heel injuries in the preseason, but he was fully cleared and listed without an injury designation going into the Cowboys’ Week 1 game against the Eagles.

However, Blue was not active in that game, nor has he been active in Dallas’ games against the Giants or Bears since. During a radio interview with 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer have an update on Blue and what he wants to see from him to be activated on game days.

“Jaydon’s actually put together a couple really good weeks of practice,” Schottenheimer said. “He has. We challenged him, we talked to him about consistency, working harder on the scout team and things like that, man it’s huge. Give him credit, he’s been terrific.”

“Unfortunately, we’ve been a little bit heavier on the defensive side when you look at the roster construction on game day… in no way, shape or form is Jaydon doing things that would not allow him to be activated, it’s been more of the fact that we’ve needed the numbers with some of the injuries and stuff on defense.”

The Dallas Cowboys Offense Could Use RB Jaydon Blue’s Speed

Sam Hodde/GettyARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 22: Jaydon Blue #34 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Atlanta Falcons at AT&T Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

At the NFL Combine back in February, Blue was the second-fastest back at the event, clocking at a 4.38-second 40-yard dash. Speed is his best attribute, and he can stress defenses when he hits the seams and gets to the sideline.

So far, the Cowboys have chosen to activate only two backs on game days: starter Javonte Williams and backup Miles Sanders. However, with the injury to star WR CeeDee Lamb — out for a few weeks with a high-ankle sprain — the Cowboys could use some more speed on offense.

RB Phil Mafah is on Injured Reserve (IR), as is WR Jonathan Mingo. WR/KR KaVontae Turpin is their designated gadget guy who plays in the slot and sometimes takes handoffs in the backfield, but Blue can also do this. Right now, the Cowboys are in need of firepower on offense with Lamb out, and Blue could provide that spark.

The Dallas Cowboys Defense is in Trouble

Schottenheimer cited the need for more bodies on defense as the primary reason why Blue hasn’t been active on game day yet. That’s understandable, given they’re missing LB DeMarvion Overshown, CB Shavon Revel Jr., DT Payton Turner, DT Perrion Winfrey, CB Caelon Carson, and CB Josh Butler.

But even without those guys, this defense should be better than it has been. The Cowboys have arguably been the worst defense in the NFL through three games, ranking 30th in yards allowed per game and 27th in points allowed per game.

Of course, many will point to Dallas trading away star ED Micah Parsons before the season as one of the primary reasons for their defensive struggles. Cowboys’ decision-makers continually insist they made the right choice and don’t regret it. But all eyes will be on Parsons’ return to Dallas on Sunday night.

Ethan Woodie is an accomplished sports writer specializing in the NFL and college football for Heavy.com. He’s written for Heavy since 2025 and has years of experience writing for NFL Trade Rumors and Pro Football Focus (PFF). Woodie is an expert in draft scouting and his final 2025 Big Board was included in Arif Hasan’s media consensus board for Wide Left. More about Ethan Woodie

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