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Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue has been a slow burn in his first NFL season, with the former Texas Longhorn still adapting to the rigors of NFL football.
After showing glimpses in training camp, Blue was then injured, but once he recovered, finding the consistency that head coach Brian Schottenheimer craved was tough.
As such, Blue has only played in four games and has had 65 yards from 22 carries with only 45 offensive snaps to his name. As the Cowboys head into their bye week, it is a good time for Blue to nail down the playbook.
For running backs coach Derrick Foster, Blue is a work in progress, but he has faith in the former Longhorn to get things rolling.
“We're dealing with a very young player at that's learning the professional game, this is a different game than college,” Foster said. “He's learning how to do that gradually, and that comes from experience. You try to simulate as best as possible in practice, but we all know he got to go play the game, too. Some things are first-time mishaps or reps that he's getting in a game.
"He only played in one preseason game. So, he didn't get a whole lot of experience there. So, a lot of things are first times for him. He's a player I do believe will grow and continue to develop in his role. I don't worry about that as much. He just would like for it to happen a little bit faster, obviously, but he'll be fine.”
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Cowboys need more from Blue
Being a healthy scratch for the Cowboys' loss to the Arizona Cardinals, with practice squad player Malik Davis given the chance above Blue, that does show the rookie has a long way to go if he is to earn snaps on game day.
Blue's speed and burst from the backfield have been on show at times, but consistency has eluded him in the early part of his career.
With Javonte Williams, the bell cow back for Schottenheimer, he needs someone who can pick up the slack when he needs a breather, and that had been Blue, but it is clear that the coaching staff doesn't think Blue is ready for more snaps.
Whether or not that begins with some serious work during the bye week, it remains to be seen, but Foster has faith things will click for Jaydon, and we think so too.
It just might take some time.
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