The Dallas Cowboys have had a confusing start to the 2025 season, sitting at 1-2-1 through four games. While the offense has been surprisingly potent, the team has been without rookie running back Jaydon Blue, who has yet to take a single snap.
Now, ahead of Dallas’ Week 5 matchup against the New York Jets, owner and general manager Jerry Jones has finally provided an update on the rookie’s mysterious status.
What Is the Plan for Jaydon Blue in Week 5?
Jaydon Blue’s start to his NFL career has been unusual, to say the least. After a standout college career at Texas, the Cowboys selected him in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, hoping he could develop into a key part of their offense.
Although Blue dealt with minor injuries during the preseason, he has not appeared on Dallas’ regular-season injury report. Instead, he has been a healthy scratch in the team’s first four games.
His absence initially puzzled many, especially after the Cowboys struggled on the ground in 2024. However, with veteran Javonte Williams performing at a high level this season, the team hasn’t felt an urgent need to rush Blue into action. Through four games, Dallas’ offense ranks second in the NFL, according to PFSN’s OFFi metric, and Williams ranks as the third-best running back in the league, per PFSN’s RBi metric.
Now, an opportunity has opened up. With backup running back Miles Sanders listed on Dallas’ Week 5 injury report, the door is open for Blue to make his NFL debut. Given Sanders’ uncertain status, Jones reportedly said the rookie is “more than likely” to play in Week 5.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan said “more than likely” rookie RB Jaydon Blue will play Sunday
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 3, 2025
This is an exciting update for Cowboys fans, who have been eager to see how Blue’s speed can impact the offense. While he may not be the most polished back regarding vision or breaking tackles, he possesses elite speed, having posted a 4.38 forty-yard dash at the 2025 NFL Combine. Adding that kind of home-run threat to an explosive backfield could make Dallas even more dangerous.
If Blue does play in Week 5, his debut will come against a struggling Jets defense. That unit ranks just 25th in the NFL, according to PFSN’s DEFi metric. With New York allowing an average of 130.5 rushing yards per game, the stage is set for Blue to make an immediate impact, potentially.
A strong performance against the Jets could give him a chance to carve out a larger role in the Cowboys’ offense, and he could even surpass Sanders for the RB2 spot. If Jones’ comments are accurate, Blue will finally debut in Dallas’ game against the Jets on Sunday, Oct. 5. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on FOX.
