The Dallas Cowboys' strong running game took a big hit this weekend. Veteran running back Miles Sanders, who was expected to serve as Javonte Williams' primary backup, will have to undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Sanders, who turned 20 carries into 117 yards through the first month of the season, will go under the knife to attend to a knee injury. While rookie Jaydon Blue is expected to take on a bigger role, one of the pass-catchers could be the biggest winner of his injury.
Cowboys Elevate Jalen Cropper After Miles Sanders Injury
According to a report by ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Cowboys placed Sanders on season-ending Injured Reserve (IR), and they used his roster spot to elevate veteran wide receiver Jalen Cropper from the practice squad to the active roster.
Cropper made his NFL debut last season, logging 12 offensive snaps and three snaps on special teams. He's made two appearances this campaign, logging 14 snaps on special teams and seven on offense. So far, he has one punt return for eight yards, but he has yet to log a stat on offense.
The Fresno State product went undrafted in 2023 after hauling in 83 receptions for 1,086 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games during his final collegiate seasons. All in all, he left college with 220 grabs for 2,701 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Now, he's facing an uphill battle in the seemingly crowded Cowboys' wide receivers room. George Pickens is the de facto WR2, with star TE Jake Ferguson also getting his fair share of targets. KaVontae Turpin and Jalen Tolbert lead the WR3 race, Jonathan Mingo is inching closer to making his season debut, and Ryan Flournoy has already flashed glimpses of being a big-play specialist.
That's just to say that Cropper's elevation doesn't necessarily mean that he's going to have a featured role in the offense. Still, Coach Schottenheimer seems willing to get everybody going, so it'll be up to him to make the most of the opportunities.