Why Cowboys' Jaydon Blue could be active Week 18 vs. Giants

When the Cowboys drafted Jaydon Blue in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, fans hoped to see some explosive plays. Instead, they got a string of inactive games.

The rookie running back who head coach Brian Schottenheimer compared to Darren Sproles in training camp hasn't logged a snap since October. 

As Dallas enters a meaningless Week 18 matchup against the New York Giants, could Blue get an opportunity to prove himself after weeks of being inactive? 

Why Jaydon Blue could be active in Week 18

Jaydon Blue's last snaps came October 29th against the Denver Broncos and his head coach has been transparent about the reason why.

"The standard is not always met, just being quite honest and frank with you guys," Brian Schottenheimer said on December 19th. "But if he keeps working and continues to do a great job in his preparation and all that, then of course he can earn the right to play.”

But the rookie could have an opportunity after an injury to the bell cow back, Javonte Williams. 

Williams was having a strong game against the Washington Commanders on Christmas Day before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the rest of the afternoon. Backup Malik Davis carried the ball 20 times for 103 yards in his absence.

The veteran was signed on a one-year, $3 million contract in the offseason. He'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer. 

The Cowboys could choose to sign him or fish for another cheap replacement on the open market. Either way, knowing what they have in Blue will make the decision easier. 

Blue has 22 carries for 65 yards in just four games played. It's not a great enough sample size to make a decision on him. At the same time, Dallas hasn't seen much of Blue because his work behind the scenes is not good enough to warrant being active on game day. 

Week 18 is usually the best time for players on the fringe to prove themselves going into the offseason. The table could be set for Blue to get some touches on Sunday.

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