Cowboys move on from 2025 fifth-round RB Jaydon Blue, placing future role in question

The Dallas Cowboys have waived running back Jaydon Blue, the team’s 2025 fifth-round pick, according to Yahoo Sports on August 30, 2026. For Blue, it is a quick reset after a rookie year that, by his own assessment, did not start the way he expected.

In June, Blue said he “didn’t start off like I should have” as a rookie, while also telling reporters that he felt ready to contribute to the Cowboys in 2026. The waiver means the Cowboys will look for running back depth elsewhere and will no longer carry Blue on their active roster or offseason reserve plans under his current status.

This kind of transaction fits a familiar NFL timeline. As teams sort through their rosters heading into the regular season, waiving a young player typically reflects a numbers decision, a depth-chart adjustment, or an evaluation of how a player fits the current plan for carries, special teams work, and practice reps. Blue now becomes available to other clubs, where he can be claimed or, if unclaimed, potentially reattached through the waiver process and subsequent roster mechanisms.

For the Cowboys, the decision spotlights the ongoing competition at running back, particularly among players who were brought in for development. A 2025 fifth-rounder is usually expected to show progress quickly in his first full NFL offseason and training camp cycle, and the waiver suggests Dallas did not see enough to justify keeping Blue through the next roster phase.

It is also worth noting the difference between feeling “ready” and earning a protected roster spot. Blue’s June comments indicated confidence in his readiness to contribute in 2026. The waiver, however, points to how quickly roles can change when coaches and personnel staff weigh readiness across multiple dimensions, including availability, day-to-day performance, and how a player’s skill set translates to the offense’s preferred run concepts and pass-protection needs.

What happens next will depend on how the waiver clock runs and whether any other team views Blue as an immediate fit or a developmental project. If claimed, his 2026 trajectory could accelerate under a new playbook and coaching staff. If he clears waivers, the next chapter would likely involve looking for a spot on a practice squad or waiting for another roster opening.

For Cowboys fans, the practical takeaway is simple: the backfield picture entering 2026 is now slightly more fluid, and Dallas has one fewer young option in its own system. The team’s response, whether through additional internal competition or adding a new player, will shape how the Cowboys manage their workload balance and game-day depth.