Jaydon Blue’s Long-Awaited Preseason Debut Could Be the Spark the Cowboys Desperately Need
FRISCO, Texas —
Preseason finales rarely come with much anticipation. By late August, the stars are resting, the depth charts are mostly set, and fans are simply counting down the days to meaningful football. But this Friday night at AT&T Stadium, when the Dallas Cowboys host the Atlanta Falcons in their preseason finale, there will be a reason worth tuning in. His name is Jaydon Blue — a rookie running back out of Texas who could provide exactly the kind of offensive spark Dallas has been searching for.
For weeks, Cowboys fans have been waiting to see the fifth-round pick in action. The 21-year-old has been sidelined since August 7 with a bruised ankle and foot suffered during training camp in Oxnard, California. The timing couldn’t have been worse: Blue had been one of the most talked-about young players in camp, flashing the kind of open-field burst and versatility that had made him a Big 12 standout. And then, suddenly, he was gone, stuck in recovery while the rest of the backfield fought for snaps.
Now, as he prepares to take the field against Atlanta, Blue isn’t hiding his eagerness.
“I feel like myself again,” Blue said this week after returning to full practice. “It was tough sitting out, but I’m ready to go. I don’t think I’ll have any limitations. As long as I’m healthy, the coaches are going to let me play.”
For Dallas, his return is more than just the story of a rookie finally getting a chance. It’s about a franchise searching for answers in a running game that badly underperformed in 2024.
A Backfield in Transition
The Cowboys finished last season with an NFL-worst six rushing touchdowns, a number that tells the story of a team that never found its identity on the ground. The departure of Ezekiel Elliott in 2023 left the position unsettled, and while veteran Javonte Williams was brought in this offseason to stabilize the group, he hasn’t taken a single preseason snap. Miles Sanders, now several years removed from his Pro Bowl peak, has seen limited action. Seventh-round rookie Phil Mafah, 2023 sixth-rounder Deuce Vaughn, and practice-squad regular Malik Davis have all gotten extended opportunities, but none has separated from the pack.
That context makes Blue’s debut more significant than a typical fifth-rounder’s first game. Dallas didn’t draft him to be just another body in camp. They drafted him because they saw something rare — explosiveness, versatility, and the ability to turn ordinary plays into highlight-reel moments.
Will McClay, the Cowboys’ respected vice president of player personnel, didn’t mince words on draft day.
“He’s an explosive playmaker,” McClay said. “We believe he has the chance to change the complexion of a drive with one touch of the football.”
Blue’s college production backs that up. At Texas in 2024, he rushed for 730 yards and eight touchdowns while also hauling in 42 catches for 368 yards and six scores. That receiving ability is what intrigues the Cowboys most. In an NFL where multipurpose backs like Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara tilt defenses, Blue offers a potential matchup problem out of the backfield.
The Setback That Tested His Patience
Blue’s rookie camp had been going well until that August 7 injury. Coaches praised his vision, his footwork, and — perhaps most importantly — his professionalism. For a young player fighting for a role, missing two weeks of practice can feel like an eternity.
“It was a rough two weeks,” Blue admitted. “You want to be out there every day showing what you can do. Sitting on the sideline while the other guys are getting reps, that’s hard. But I kept my focus, and now I feel back to normal.”
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy noted that Blue’s maturity stood out during his recovery.
“You never want a rookie to lose time, but Jaydon handled it the right way,” McCarthy said. “He stayed locked in on the playbook, stayed engaged in meetings, and once he got back on the field, you could tell he was ready.”
Why the Falcons Game Matters
Normally, the third preseason game is little more than a tune-up for depth players, a last chance for long shots to impress before roster cuts. But for Blue, it’s a spotlight. He will have limited opportunities to show the coaching staff — and fans — exactly what he can bring.
“Absolutely, this is important for me,” Blue said. “I thought I was having a strong camp before I got hurt, so the coaches know what I can do. But this is a chance to show it in a real game. I’m treating it like any other game — prepare the right way, go out there and play fast.”
The Falcons’ defense may not be game-planning for him, but for Blue, the reps are invaluable. Every carry, every route, every blitz pickup matters. With roster cutdown day looming, his performance could help secure not just a roster spot but a meaningful role in the offense when the Cowboys open the season September 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Style of Play and Fit
What makes Blue compelling is his ability to do everything at a high level. He’s quick enough to beat defenders to the edge, strong enough to run between the tackles, and polished enough as a receiver to line up in the slot. At Texas, coaches often trusted him on third down because he could both catch passes and protect the quarterback.
That versatility could be the difference in Dallas’ backfield rotation. If Williams is slow to get rolling, and if Sanders can’t recapture his past production, the Cowboys will need a dynamic option to keep defenses honest. Blue has the skill set to fill that void.
“You want players who treat every opportunity the same,” running backs coach Jeff Blasko said. “Jaydon doesn’t act like a rookie. He prepares like a veteran, and that gives him a chance to play early.”
The Bigger Picture for Dallas
It’s no secret the Cowboys’ success in 2025 will hinge on Dak Prescott and the passing game. But balance matters, especially in the NFC East where defenses like Philadelphia’s and Washington’s thrive on forcing quarterbacks into predictable situations. Dallas doesn’t need Blue to be a 1,200-yard rusher this year. They need him to be a spark — someone who can take a simple screen pass 40 yards or break a draw play into the open field.
Preseason stars don’t always translate into regular-season contributors. But sometimes, those games reveal players ready to seize an opportunity. Tony Pollard was once that player for Dallas, flashing in the preseason before carving out a bigger role. Blue, with his combination of speed and versatility, has the chance to follow that path.
Why Fans Should Care
For the average fan, a late-August exhibition game can feel like a slog. Starters sit, the scoreboard doesn’t matter, and the roster is filled with players who won’t be around by Week 1. But rookies like Jaydon Blue give preseason meaning. His debut is a glimpse into the Cowboys’ future, a chance to see whether the front office found another diamond in the mid-rounds of the draft.
Blue understands the spotlight. He welcomes it.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a preseason game or the Super Bowl,” Blue said. “I treat them all the same. That way when the big moments come, I’m ready.”
Looking Ahead
By the time the Cowboys take the field in Philadelphia on September 4, the roster will be set, the depth chart finalized. But what happens Friday night against the Falcons could shape how the team approaches its running back rotation. If Jaydon Blue delivers, even in limited snaps, he could earn himself more than just a roster spot — he could earn the trust of his coaches to be part of the Week 1 plan.
For a franchise desperate for offensive balance, that possibility matters. Dallas has invested heavily in its passing game. But sometimes, a rookie running back can change the complexion of a season.
Blue has waited weeks for this chance. Cowboys Nation has waited with him. Now, under the Friday night lights of AT&T Stadium, both will finally get to see if the wait was worth it.
