Cowboys suddenly move on from Jaydon Blue after training camp battle

The Dallas Cowboys are moving on from running back Jaydon Blue as they continue shaping their roster ahead of the 2026 regular season.

Dallas is waiving Blue, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, ending his stint with the Cowboys after just one season. The former fifth-round pick entered training camp with an opportunity to establish himself as the primary backup behind veteran Javonte Williams, but Malik Davis ultimately emerged from the competition.

The Cowboys are also waiving running back Phil Mafah, leaving Williams, Davis and Israel Abanikanda as the team’s remaining tailbacks. Fullback Hunter Luepke provides Dallas with another option in the backfield.

Blue showed flashes during the preseason.

Despite missing time in training camp because of a shoulder issue, he led the Cowboys with 94 rushing yards on 23 carries. Blue also caught two passes for 15 yards, displaying some of the explosiveness that made him an intriguing prospect coming out of college.

However, his preseason production wasn’t enough to secure a roster spot.

Blue gets brutal news as Cowboys finalize roster

Blue struggled to carve out a consistent role during his rookie season. He was inactive for 12 games and finished with only 129 yards and one touchdown on 38 carries.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer praised Blue’s improved maturity entering his second season, but Davis’ versatility gave him an advantage.

Davis rushed for 68 yards on 12 preseason carries and added an 8-yard touchdown reception. He also provides value across multiple special teams units, something that can become especially important when teams finalize the bottom of their 53-man roster.

Davis earned a larger offensive role midway through last season and responded with 250 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 52 carries, including two 100-yard performances.

Williams remains firmly established as Dallas’ starter after producing career highs of 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns last season. The Cowboys kept him out of preseason action to ensure he enters Week 1 healthy.

Blue’s time in Dallas may not necessarily be finished. If he clears waivers, the Cowboys could potentially bring him back on their practice squad.

For now, though, Davis has officially won one of Dallas’ most competitive training camp battles.

More NFL news:

• Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux has 30% chance of being traded
• Dolphins have NFL’s worst WR, TE, Edge, CB and S rooms according to ESPN
• Why Patriots traded Kayshon Boutte to Texans for Jaylen Reed and a 7th-round draft pick
• Deshaun Watson apologizes to Browns fans after criticizing them for booing him
• Why Browns are making a massive mistake with Deshaun Watson as QB1 over Shedeur Sanders