The Dallas Cowboys have dealt with their share of injuries to key offensive stars this season — none bigger than losing star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to an ankle injury last week.
Lamb missed Dallas’ Week 4 tie with the Green Bay Packers, he’s been ruled out for Sunday’s matchup against the New York Jets as well, and reports indicate he could miss one or two more additional games as well.
And while Lamb’s injury is a big one, perhaps an under-the-radar absence not being talked about enough is running back Miles Sanders, who has also been ruled out for Sunday’s matchup.
But fortunately for the Cowboys, unlike with Lamb, they have a player ready to step right into Sanders’ shoes capable of producing at an equally high, if not higher level.
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Fifth-round rookie running back Jaydon Blue has yet to play a down this season, but with Sanders sitting out in Week 5, the former Texas Longhorns star is set to make his NFL debut.
“I’m very excited; I’ve waited my time,” Blue said, via CBS Sports. “I stayed patient, and I was told to trust the process,” Blue said after practice on Friday. “I knew eventually if I was to stay consistent and work hard that time would come.”
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Through the first four games, Sanders has been the Cowboys’ No. 2 tailback and second-leading rusher (117 yards, one touchdown) behind Javonte Williams (312 yards, three touchdowns).
But Blue isn’t just another depth running back getting a chance to get his first handful of carries.
In fact, according to VP of player personnel Will McClay, the Cowboys drafted Blue back in April because of his dynamic playmaking ability — he totaled 1,128 yards rushing and 503 yards receiving and scored 18 touchdowns the last two years at Texas.
“At the end of the day in the NFL, you’re looking for explosive playmakers, and he’s an explosive playmaker,” McClay said. “You put him in the backfield behind with what we’ve built on the line, and he has a chance to be explosive.
“… An explosive player that can flip the field for you on carries. Can also win you some matchups in one-on-one coverage vs. linebackers. He’s an explosive playmaker. It’s a different speed that he plays at.”
Though Blue had his work ethic questioned during the preseason, and he seemed to be in head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s dog house ever since, many believe that once he gets his chance, he could eventually end up taking a hold of the Cowboys’ RB1 job.
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