The Dallas Cowboys might finally give their rookie running back a chance.
Despite being a training camp sensation and drawing plenty of praise months ago, Jaydon Blue has yet to take the field in the regular season. With Miles Sanders suffering an ankle injury in the tie to the Green Bay Packers, Brian Schottenheimer may have no choice but to give Blue a chance.
More than that, it also sounds like he's earned that right. He had already hinted at Blue getting better in practice.
Jaydon Blue Has Stepped Up in Practice
“Jaydon’s actually put together a couple really good weeks of practice,” Schottenheimer said earlier in the week, per Sports Illustrated. “We challenged him, we talked to him about consistency, working harder on the scout team and things like that. In no way, shape or form is Jaydon doing things that would not allow him to be activated.”
That's a nice turnaround. Schottenheimer had pretty much insinuated that Blue hadn't been impressive enough in training camp. With some reports about his work ethic, it was starting to sound like he was falling further behind in the pecking order. Fortunately, he's taken things up a notch in practice now:
"Very close. I'll say that again. I've said it a number of times, he's practicing really, really well. I challenged him a few weeks ago on being consistent," Schottenheimer said, per CBS Sports. "He's done that. He's becoming one of our best offensive practice squad players. He gives the defense an incredible look with his speed and playmaking ability, so very close."
The rookie fifth-round selection missed some time in the preseason with an injury, but later turned heads by turning nine carries into 25 yards and one touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the preseason.
The Cowboys' running game has been a pleasant surprise this season, with Sanders turning 20 carries into 117 rushing yards and one touchdown. Javonte Williams, on the other hand, has been spectacular with 63 carries for 312 yards and four touchdowns.
Schottenheimer's team has the No. 1 offense in the league, so it might take much more than just an injury for Jaydon Blue to not only earn his spot but also get some touches on a weekly basis. But if Sanders is still banged up and Blue continues to go hard in practice, he might finally take the field on Sunday when the Cowboys visit the New York Jets.