Jaydon Blue’s shoulder injury appears to be improving. The Dallas Cowboys running back was listed as a limited participant in Thursday’s practice, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer, a day after being held out entirely.
The 2025 fifth-round pick out of Texas hurt his shoulder in Saturday’s preseason opener at Seattle. Schottenheimer acknowledged the injury Tuesday and said the team was monitoring it. Blue is now competing with Phil Mafah and Malik Davis for a depth role behind lead back Javonte Williams.
Mafah, a fellow Day 3 draft pick, is dealing with a chest injury after carrying four times for nine yards and adding a six-yard reception against the Seahawks. Israel Abanikanda also left that game with a rib injury. That has opened the door for Malik Davis and Abanikanda to take more first-team reps in practice, with Schottenheimer noting that both “earned them.”
Meanwhile, safety Zion Childress was also limited Thursday as he works his way back from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for over two weeks. Childress, an undrafted free agent out of Kentucky in 2025, was elevated to the active roster last September before bouncing between the practice squad and the Texans. He has 283 tackles across 62 college games at Texas State and Kentucky.
The Cowboys‘ safety room is headlined by rookie Caleb Downs, the 11th overall pick in April’s draft. Veterans Malik Hooker, Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke have all missed practice time in Oxnard. Thompson, signed to a three-year, $33 million deal this offseason, is expected to start. Locke, who signed for one year and $5 million in March, hyperextended his knee on the first day of camp and didn’t return until Aug. 4.
Cornerback Devin Moore also returned to practice Monday alongside Jaishawn Barham and Childress. Moore, a fourth-round rookie, had been sidelined with a groin injury. Schottenheimer praised Moore’s talent and said he was in good position against an elite receiver like Olave but still needs to regain his lower-body power.
Thursday marked the Cowboys’ final practice in Oxnard. They face the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday in their second preseason game. The preseason concludes Friday, Aug. 28, against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium.
