In Week 11, the 3-5-1 Dallas Cowboys will be taking on the 2-7 Las Vegas Raiders in a Monday Night Matchup at 8:15 p.m. EST on ESPN.
This week, the Cowboys will be without the rookie running back out of the University of Texas, Jaydon Blue. Find out why the rookie is out and what it means for the Dallas Cowboys.
Why is Jaydon Blue Not Playing Against the Las Vegas Raiders?
Before the game, the Cowboys released a list of six inactive players for tonight’s match-up. Included on that list was the rookie running back Blue.
Blue wasn’t listed on the injury report this week and was expected to play against the Raiders. So, at face value, his inactivity could be confusing.
The @dallascowboys inactives at Las Vegas:
#18 Damone Clark (LB)
#23 Jaydon Blue (RB)
#25 Trikweze Bridges (CB)
#75 Hakeem Adeniji (OT)
#81 Jonathan Mingo (WR)
#90 Solomon Thomas (DT)— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) November 17, 2025
Blue is marked inactive in the Monday night game due to “Coach’s decision,” which essentially means that he is a healthy scratch. He is healthy to play, but they just aren’t playing him because they like what running backs they have ahead of him at the moment.
As a matter of fact, this is a common theme at the moment for Blue. Despite it being Week 11, the rookie has only played in four games this season, with the last game he was active for being on October 26 in a loss against the Denver Broncos.
READ MORE: Week 12 NFL Power Rankings: Broncos, Bills, Rams Victorious in Key Matchups
In four games this season, Blue has rushed 22 times for 65 yards. Additionally, he has one reception for five yards. Before the season, it was expected that the 21-year-old running back would have a fair role in the Cowboys’ offense, but that changed when veteran Javonte Williams decided to show out.
In nine games this season, Williams has rushed 139 times for 716 yards and eight touchdowns. Additionally, he has caught 25 passes on 35 targets for 93 yards and one touchdown.
According to PFSN’s Running Back Impact metrics, he ranks as the ninth-best running back in the league, with an impact score of 83.9. As a unit, the Cowboys’ offense ranks fourth-best in the league with an impact score of 86.6, according to PFSN’s Offensive Impact metrics.
Blue will have his time to play eventually, but that night will not be tonight against the Raiders. If injury strikes Williams or second-stringer Malik Davis, the Texas product will be the next man up in Week 12.