The Dallas Cowboys are facing a significant setback in their backfield depth. Miles Sanders will miss the remainder of the 2025 season with knee and ankle injuries. The veteran running back’s disappointing first year in Dallas has come to an abrupt end.
Is Miles Sanders Out for the Season?
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones confirmed the season-ending news on 105.3 The Fan, according to a post by Jon Machota on X. Sanders has been shut down after dealing with dual knee and ankle injuries that have plagued him since Week 4. The veteran running back will not return this year.
Sanders initially injured his ankle during the first half of Dallas’ Week 4 Sunday Night Football game against the Green Bay Packers on September 29. He left after just two carries for eight yards and never returned.
What seemed like a straightforward ankle problem evolved into a more complex situation when knee issues emerged during Week 5 preparations.
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones on @1053thefan said Miles Sanders (knee/ankle) is out for the season.
Rookie RB Jaydon Blue is now officially Dallas’ No. 2 back.
Stephen Jones: “We’re so fired up about what Jaydon Blue can do for this offense.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 10, 2025
The 28-year-old missed the Cowboys’ Week 5 victory over the Jets after failing to practice all week. He showed brief improvement with limited participation on Wednesday of Week 6 prep, but regressed to DNP status on Thursday. The inconsistent recovery pattern signaled deeper problems than initially thought.
Sanders has a documented history of ankle injuries. He missed three weeks with a sprained ankle in 2021 while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles and sat out six games with an ankle injury during his 2024 stint with the Carolina Panthers. This current injury represents the most complex of his career.
What Does This Mean for Dallas’ Backfield?
Rookie Jaydon Blue is now officially the Cowboys’ No. 2 running back behind Javonte Williams. Jones expressed optimism about Blue’s potential on 105.3 The Fan.
“We’re so fired up about what Jaydon Blue can do for this offense.”
Williams has established himself as the clear lead back for Dallas. He is the third-ranked nationally in PFSN’s RB Impact metric with an impact score of 90.5, earning him an A- grade. He’s carried 15, 18, 10, 20, and 16 times across the first five games, rushing for 54, 97, 76, 85, and 135 yards respectively.
Blue will now see expanded opportunities in the rotation. The Cowboys drafted him, expecting he could contribute immediately, and Sanders’ absence accelerates that timeline. Dallas ranks third in offensive impact score (90.2) with an A- grade from PFSN’s metrics through five games.
Sanders finishes his disappointing Cowboys tenure with 20 carries for 117 yards and one touchdown in four games. The former Pro Bowler signed a one-year deal in March after Carolina released him following two down years. He never found his footing in Dallas’ system, serving primarily as a third-string option even when healthy.
The Cowboys sit at 2-2-1 heading into Week 6, dealing with an injury crisis, as 21 players are on the injury report. Sanders’ loss further strains a roster that is already missing significant contributors across multiple position groups. Dallas needs Williams to stay healthy and Blue to accelerate his development if they hope to maintain their offensive rhythm.