Aug 22, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue (34) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at AT&T Stadium.

When the Dallas Cowboys spent a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on running back Jaydon Blue, many were optimistic the Texas product could quickly earn a role in Dallas' backfield.

But in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, Blue is not going to be on the field. He was one of the seven players the Cowboys designated as inactive for their Week 1 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Here's what to know about Blue being inactive and how Dallas' running back rotation will shake out without him.

Why is Jaydon Blue inactive?

Blue appears to have been a healthy scratch for Thursday's game against the Eagles. He wasn't listed on the Cowboys' injury report ahead of the season opener, so Dallas just opted to play its other running backs ahead of him.

Blue racked up 25 yards and a touchdown on nine carries in his lone preseason action against the Atlanta Falcons. He suffered a low-ankle sprain during that game, but the malady was not viewed as serious enough to keep him out of action.

The Cowboys did not immediately provide a reason for rendering Blue inactive for Thursday's game. Coach Brian Schottenheimer may be asked about the decision during his postgame news conference.

Cowboys RB depth chart

With Blue inactive for Thursday's game, the Cowboys are only dressing two traditional running backs. They are as follows:

  1. Javonte Williams
  2. Miles Sanders

Williams was already expected to be Dallas' backfield leader. The 25-year-old free-agent signee ran for 513 yards and four touchdowns with the Denver Broncos last season but averaged just 3.6 yards per carry over his final two seasons with the team.

Sanders, 28, spent the last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers. The 2019 second-round pick had 205 yards and two touchdowns on 55 carries last year while serving as Chuba Hubbard's backup. Sanders' best season came in 2022, when he ran for a career-high 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns in his final season with the Eagles.

The Cowboys also have fullback Hunter Luepke on their roster. He could get some work as a third-down back after he recorded 12 catches for 111 yards in 328 offensive snaps last season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cowboys RB depth chart: Javonte Williams leads with Jaydon Blue inactive vs. Eagles

Reporting by Jacob Camenker, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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