Dallas Cowboys rookie Jaydon Blue has been a standout throughout camp, but his status for the regular season opener is now in question after suffering a low ankle sprain in the preseason finale.
Blue sustained the injury late in the fourth quarter of Dallasâ 31â13 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night. While the rookie running back was quick to downplay the severity, the team has yet to officially clear him for Week 1.
âI donât think itâs nothing serious,â Blue said, according to The Athleticâs Jon Machota. âIâve had ankles rolled plenty of times. I feel good right now.â\
Cowboys rookie RB Jaydon Blue on his ankle injury: âI donât think itâs nothing serious. Iâve had ankles rolled plenty of times. I feel good right now.â
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 23, 2025
Per ESPNâs Jeremy Fowler, the initial injury update on Blue has been positive. Both he and the Cowboys remain âhopefulâ heâll be available for the season opener, though his final status will likely depend on how he responds to treatment in the coming days.
Cowboys’ cautious optimism
With veteran starters unlikely to play much early, the Cowboys have prioritized getting younger players ready to contribute immediately. Blue, who joined Dallas out of the University of ] Texas after not hearing his name called in April at the 2025 NFL Draft, has earned buzz with a strong preseason showing and was expected to play a complementary role in the running back depth chart behind Rico Dowdle.
The injury news was not limited to Blue, but his situation could directly impact how the offense approaches early-season snaps. His pass-catching ability and agility made him a favorite in situational packages, especially in a backfield looking to replace lost explosiveness from past seasons.
As final roster cuts approach, Blueâs condition may influence whether Dallas keeps additional running back depth on the 53-man roster. The front office has not indicated any changes yet, but roster flexibility could become a factor if Blueâs ankle doesnât respond as hoped.
Why it matters
 This development puts a spotlight on Dallasâ depth even before the regular season kicks off, raising early questions about the teamâs overall health heading into a pivotal year. The Cowboys enter the 2025 NFL season with high expectations and little margin for error â especially in an increasingly competitive NFC East landscape.
While the injury is reportedly minor, ankle sprains can linger if not fully healed. With several rookies across the league dealing with preseason injuries, Dallas is far from the only team making game-time decisions this early in the season.
For Blue, the goal remains clear â make his NFL debut in Week 1 against the reigning Super Bowl 59 champion Eagles. For Dallas, the challenge will be balancing caution with readiness.
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