The Dallas Cowboys are making a surprising change in their running back room ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
The Cowboys are waiving second-year running back Jaydon Blue, according to multiple reports.
Blue – a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft – had widely been expected to lock down the team's backup running back job behind Javonte Williams. The Cowboys listed the 22-year-old as the top backup on their unofficial depth chart, and he enjoyed a strong preseason during which he logged 94 rushing yards on 23 carries.
Blue sat out the Cowboys' preseason finale, which led many to believe the second-year pro would safely make Dallas' 53-man roster.
But now, the Cowboys will expose Blue to waivers. That will give the league's remaining 31 teams a chance
to add the Texas product to their roster before the start of the 2026 season if they so desire.
If Blue clears waivers, the Cowboys could look to keep him in the organization as a member of the team's practice squad.
Who is the Cowboys backup RB?
Malik Davis seems likely to serve as Dallas' backup running back to open the 2026 season. He was listed as the team's fourth-string running back on the Cowboys' most recent depth chart release, but the young running backs in front of him – Blue and Phil Mafah – have both been waived.
Davis has spent his entire five-year career to date with the Cowboys. He has totaled 411 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 90 career carries while catching eight passes for 79 yards.
Cowboys RB depth chart
Below is a look at the current state of Dallas' running back depth chart as the team continues to finalize its 53-man roster.
- Javonte Williams
- Malik Davis
- Israel Abanikanda
- Jashaun Corbin
It isn't clear whether the Cowboys will release any additional running backs as they look to make their roster compliant by the 6 p.m. ET deadline.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cowboys surprisingly waive backup RB. What it means for RB depth chart
