The Dallas Cowboys have spent much of this season navigating uncertainty at the backup running back spot - a position that became a question mark the moment Miles Sanders was ruled out for the year after Week 4. Sanders and Javonte Williams had formed a promising one-two punch, blending power and burst in a way that gave the Cowboys’ offense a dynamic edge. Without Sanders, though, the balance tipped, and the team has been searching for answers ever since.
They may have just made a move toward finding one.
On Sunday, the Cowboys added running back Israel Abanikanda to their practice squad, a move first reported by Jon Machota. It’s not the first time Dallas has shown interest in Abanikanda, who entered the league in 2023. Clearly, the front office has kept him on their radar, and this signing suggests they’re still looking for someone to step in and solidify the RB2 role behind Williams.
Meanwhile, rookie Jaydon Blue - who was drafted last year with the hope of becoming a key contributor - has yet to carve out a meaningful role. In fact, he’s now logged four straight games as a healthy scratch.
That’s not just a stat; it’s a message. The coaching staff clearly isn’t ready to trust him with game reps just yet.
It hasn’t helped that Blue’s early opportunities have been marred by missteps, including a bizarre incident in October when he developed foot blisters from wearing designer cleats - Louis Vuitton x Nike - ahead of what was supposed to be his NFL debut. It was a moment that raised eyebrows, not just because of the injury itself, but because it came at a time when Blue was trying to prove he was ready for the big stage.
There’s no denying Blue’s raw talent. His speed and quickness were big reasons why the Cowboys took a chance on him in the draft.
But the concerns that followed him into the league - ball security issues and struggles in pass protection - haven’t gone away. And in a league where trust is everything, especially for young running backs, those concerns are keeping him off the field.
Adding to the complexity of the backfield picture is the status of Phil Mafah, another young back the Cowboys are high on, who remains on injured reserve. That leaves the door wide open for someone to step up - and Malik Davis might be doing just that.
Davis made the most of his recent opportunity, breaking off a 43-yard touchdown run that turned heads and may have turned the tide in the depth chart battle. It was the kind of performance that forces coaches to take notice - and apparently, it got the league’s attention too, as Davis was hit with a random drug test after the game. That’s usually the unofficial sign that you’ve arrived.
If Davis can maintain that level of play, the Cowboys might already have their answer at RB2. But the bigger story might be what this means for Blue.
For a rookie trying to find his footing, these are the moments that define careers. He has the tools, but the NFL doesn’t wait on potential.
It rewards production, reliability, and professionalism.
There’s still time for Blue to flip the script. The Cowboys invested a draft pick in him for a reason.
But if he wants to be part of this backfield rotation - not just this season, but beyond - he’s going to have to earn it the hard way. That starts with showing he can be trusted to protect the football, block when called upon, and handle the little things that separate prospects from pros.
Until then, the Cowboys’ running back room will keep evolving - and Blue will be watching from the sideline, waiting for another shot to prove he belongs.