Brian Schottenheimer didn’t expect his Friday morning to start with bad news. But that’s exactly what happened when Stephen Jones broke it on 105.3 The Fan—Miles Sanders is done for the season. With the team sitting at 2-2-1 and heading to Carolina for a crucial matchup, the timing couldn’t be worse. Now, Schottenheimer’s got two headaches to solve—replacing Sanders while making sure the run game doesn’t lose its rhythm.

Now, all eyes shift to rookie Jaydon Blue. He’s got that spark, but there’s a catch: inconsistency. That’s what kept him off the active roster for the first four weeks. Still, there’s a real belief inside The Star that he could bring something fresh. Especially with CeeDee Lamb nearing a return, Blue could turn this offense up another notch. And as per Cowboys beat writer Jon Machota, rookie Phil Mafah could also join the mix once his shoulder heals, adding another layer to Schottenheimer’s puzzle.

However, Jones is excited about Blue’s upside. “We’re so fired up about what Jaydon Blue can do for this offense,” Jones said after announcing the Sanders news. “He’s got rare explosiveness. … I think he’s really gonna bring something to this offense at the running back position that we haven’t had. As much as I respect and think a lot of Sanders, I think Blue can really bring some more juice to this offense.”

Meanwhile, Javonte Williams remains Dallas’ No. 1 receiver. He has totaled 447 yards and five touchdowns on 79 carries, which is over 5.6 yards per rush. Sanders, before the injuries, managed 117 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. However, the truth is, Sanders never quite got rolling this season.

Aside from that 49-yard burst in Week 1, his impact was minimal. He looked sharp in camp, but Williams simply took over the backfield. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Sanders will require the same type of tissue graft surgery on his left knee. A procedure involving a transplant of bone and cartilage that Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs underwent in January.

On the other hand, rookie running back Phil Mafah, a 7th round, 239th overall pick, was placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 1 but became eligible to return to practice in Week 5. With rookie Jaydon Blue, their combination gives the team a potential one-two punch behind Javonte Williams, who has been among the league’s best through the first five weeks, especially with Sanders no longer in the mix. Mafah, however, still must clear a few more hurdles before he can rejoin the active roster.

The Cowboys also have depth at running back in Malik Davis, a veteran who impressed during the preseason and later joined the practice squad. If Mafah needs additional recovery time, Davis can be elevated for up to three game days before the team would need to make a permanent roster move.

At this point, it’s on Schottenheimer who he thinks replaces Sanders. But for now, it’s Jaydon Blue’s chance to prove he belongs.

Brian Schottenheimer can’t ignore Blue any longer

Schottenheimer drafted Blue as the 149th overall in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. After sitting out the first four games as a healthy scratch, Blue now has a golden chance. Yes, he didn’t light up the stat sheet, just four carries for seven yards on 11 snaps. But heading into Carolina, fans expect that number to rise. And it should.

The Panthers have been soft against the run, giving up over 107 yards per game and 4.5 per carry. That’s not exactly brick-wall defense. Back at Texas, Blue shared the backfield with stars like Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, so he knows how to compete for touches. His burst, his speed, and that natural agility? Those traits can make a difference fast — especially against a defense that struggles to contain the edge.

Jerry Jones clearly saw something special early. The Cowboys’ front office even admitted they tried to trade up for Blue before landing him in the fifth round. He showed flashes in camp and found the end zone in preseason against Atlanta, nine carries, 25 yards, one score. That kind of finish caught everyone’s attention.

Now, six weeks in, the opportunity is right there. With Sanders sidelined, Schottenheimer doesn’t need to look outside the locker room. Blue can bring the same spark, maybe more. It’s time to find out if he’s the player Dallas believed in because the moment won’t wait forever.