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Booker’s solid return after 3 weeks away leads effort by rookies

Originally posted on Inside The Star
By Richard Paolinelli | Last updated Oct 23, 2025 10:09 AM ET

Offensive guard Tyler Booker made his return to the starting lineup on Sunday a successful one in a game that was very successful for most of the 2025 rookies.

Booker played on all 67 offensive snaps for Dallas.

He also had eight more on special teams.

More importantly, he looked fully recovered from the high ankle sprains that sidelined him for three games.

His only blemish was his first accepted penalty of the season. But the holding penalty came in the fourth quarter, long after the game had been decided.

Defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku, the second round pick, still hasn’t cracked the starting lineup, but managed to have a solid outing against the Commanders.

Ezeiruaku had four tackles, two for a loss, a sack, and one quarterback hit in Sunday’s win.

Linebacker Shemar James, a fifth-rounder, continues to be the best defensive rookie on the team. He’s even making a solid case for defensive rookie of the year in the NFL.

James, in his second start of the season, tied for the team high with nine tackles, one for a loss, and two quarterback hits.

One of those hits was his first career sack and a forced fumble, recovered by Jadeveon Clowney, that knocked Jayden Daniels out of the game.

Running back Jaydon Blue, taken in the fifth round, played in his third-straight game. Blue had seven carries for 29 yards and added a five-yard catch on his only target.

It was Blue’s best game of the year.

He now has 36 yards on 14 carries to go along with his only reception.

Defensive back Alijah Clark, an undrafted free agent rookie, had two tackles in just five defensive snaps and 22 special teams snaps against the Commanders.

Clark has played in the last three games and has five tackles for the season.

Back To Inactive Status

Defensive tackle Jay Toia, a seventh-rounder from UCLA, was back on the inactive list last week after seeing action in Week 6. He also was active for the first two games of the year.

For the season, Toia has two tackles and has seen 57 total defensive snaps and another 17 on special teams.

Offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius, Dallas’ sixth round pick, was inactive for the sixth time in seven weeks. His lone appearance came in the Week 5 win over the Jets when he had seven snaps on special teams.

Rookies Stuck On IR

Both defensive back Shavon Revel Jr., Dallas’ third-round reach pick, and running back Phil Mafah, a seventh rounder, remain stuck on IR.

The Cowboys did open Revel’s 21-day practice window earlier this week.

Waiting Their Turn

These three undrafted free agents remain on the Cowboys practice squad in 2025:

Traeshon Holden (WR) – Practice Squad
Rivaldo Fairweather (TE) – Practice squad
Justin Barron (LB) – Practice squad
Zion Childress (CB) – Signed back to the practice squad on Wednesday.

Gone But Not Forgotten

The Cowboys’ final pick of the 2025 draft, defensive tackle, Tommy Akingbesote, was cut from the team prior to the regular season opener against the Eagles.

This article first appeared on Inside The Star and was syndicated with permission.

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