Dallas Cowboys News

Home

Quizzes

Watch

Newsletter

Power Rankings

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Cowboys getting help from just 2 rookies

Originally posted on Inside The Star
By Richard Paolinelli | Last updated Sep 24, 2025 11:07 AM ET

Out of what was viewed as a promising class of rookies, only three saw action in Sunday’s loss to Chicago.

Only one of them started, and he won’t be starting again until late October at the earliest. The other two merely got in some snaps but failed to make any significant impact on the game.

Three rookies remained healthy scratches for the third-straight week, while another was a healthy scratch for the first time this year.

Two rookies remain on injured reserve with an eye on landing on the active roster after the fourth week of the season.

Seeing as Dallas is off to a 1-2 start, and it will probably be 1-3 after this Sunday’s game against the Packers, the Cowboys could use the help. It certainly couldn’t hurt.

On The Field

Offensive Guard Tyler Booker was showing that he was a solid first-round pick, a welcome change from his previous two predecessors, and very stable on the offensive line.

Then came the news that he too has a high ankle sprain and will be out for 4–6 weeks.

Tyler Booker has a high ankle sprain and he’ll miss four to six weeks according to a source.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) September 22, 2025

He had played all 224 offensive snaps in his three starts and had been the lone rookie starter so far this season for Dallas. Booker has yet to be flagged for a penalty.

He had also been solid in run blocking and pass protection.

Defensive End Donovan Ezeiruaku saw 27 defensive snaps at his position, second only to Sam Williams’ 32. He recorded two tackles in the loss to Chicago, including one solo tackle.

At times, he appeared to be more involved in complaining to the officials than in the actual play.

Defensive Tackle Jay Toia was inactive for this game after suiting up for the first two games. Mazi Smith got his first action of the year at defensive tackle.

Smith, the 2023 first round pick by the Cowboys, played 18 snaps but did not record a single stat.

We’ll see if Smith heads back to the bench and Toia is active against Green Bay.

Defensive Back Zion Childress was active for the second straight week. He saw five snaps on special teams and failed to record a single stat.

Still Riding The Pine

Running Back Jaydon Blue was a healthy scratch for the third straight week. Considering the Cowboys’ stated intent to focus on the run game, his continued absence from the sideline is puzzling.

Linebacker Shemar James was touted as a player sure to see the field during the draft.

So far, he has yet to even be suited up over the first three games.

Offensive Lineman Ajani Cornelius was inactive again. He might be called up if both Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele continue to struggle at tackle.

On The IR

Both Shavon Revel Jr. (CB) and Phil Mafah (RB) have been off the roster as they recover from injury.

Both players would likely see significant action once they are cleared to return to the field. Especially Revel as the Cowboys’ secondary is horrible right now.