Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Cowboys rookie RB proving coaches wrong vs Giants

Originally posted on Dallas Cowboys on SI
By Zach Dimmitt | Last updated Jan 4, 2026 2:20 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys are playing a Week 18 game against the New York Giants that's essentially meaningless to a fanbase that has to watch "America's Team" miss the playoffs once again.

However, the contest still means something for multiple players on the roster.

While contract incentives are a primary motivator for some key names, others are getting their first real chance at playing time in the regular-season finale.

Most notable among these is Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue, who showed early in the first half on Sunday that the coaching staff maybe should have given him a few more snaps during the season.

Jaydon Blue Scores First-Career Touchdown vs. Giants

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Blue scored his first-career NFL touchdown in the first half on 14-yard run to give the Cowboys a 10-6 lead.

A fifth-round rookie out of Texas, Blue entered the season expected to have a notable role as a backup but was instead inactive for 12 games, mostly as a healthy scratch.

But with Javonte Williams and Malik Davis both out against the Giants, Blue saw some significant action in the first half. Headed into halftime, he had 11 carries for 76 yards and the score.

TD for 23 #DALvsNYG | @Jaydonblue23

: #DALvsNYG on FOX
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/RmDxAeDdUk pic.twitter.com/M4gHCLu2Us
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) January 4, 2026

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said during the week that Blue has still been learning to be consistent. It's clear that the coaching staff didn't feel he was ready to see notable carries this season, instead electing to have him learn and watch from the sidelines.

"He is still a dynamic runner, he is learning the National Football League and what it takes to be great and have a great game or a good carry," Schottenheimer said. "The way you sustain success to be consistent is the standard all the time and so I think he is learning that."

Entering Week 18, Blue had appeared in just four games while posting 22 carries for 65 yards. He already eclipsed that mark in the first half against New York.