The Cowboys' running back room is a fascinating watch, and two players have gotten praise from Brian Schottenheimer.
The Dallas Cowboys' running back room was a fascinating watch heading into Oxnard, as much of the conversation centered around Jaydon Blue.
The former Texas Longhorn is part of Dallas' "Thunder and Lightning" play behind Javonte Williams, and while Blue has had a fine camp, he hasn't exactly stood out.
He was so-so against the Seahawks, while Malik Davis and Israel Abanikanda both showed what they're about in a tough outing, impressing on the ground.
And now, we have seen both Davis and Ibanikanda get more first-team reps as Blue deals with a shoulder injury. This is the time of the offseason for someone like Blue, who needs all the reps he can get.
With the Arizona Cardinals up next on the preseason schedule on Saturday night, Blue needs to start making some plays to warrant a spot on this offense. Why?
Well, because Schottenheimer, speaking about Davis and Abandikanda, says the pair have earned their first-team reps.
"I think they've earned it," Schottenheimer said. "I think when you watch those guys compete, Malik, the guy is consistent. He's a good football player, and he's good on offense, good on special teams, good in pass protection, good runner. He makes positive yards. So he has not been a surprise."
Davis, for me, is RB2 at the time of writing, and yes, that could change over the coming weeks, but he just continues to get the job done.
He doesn't make mistakes, gets positive yards, and you know what you are getting from him. Plus, he has skins on the wall in the league. Even Dak Prescott stated, "You can’t deny someone who shows up each and every day."
As for Abanikanda? Schottenheimer was glowing in his praise of the back.
"I have been very pleasantly surprised with Izzy," Schottenheimer added. "We got him late last year, big, powerful man that runs hard, good speed. You haven't even really seen his speed come to life, but he's very, very fast. He's a finisher. If he gets space, he's hard to catch because he's fast and powerful from the lower body down. Those guys have earned the right to get more reps with the ones."
So, Blue might be fading into the background in Oxnard.
Seen as one player who needed to have a strong camp, while he's been fine, he hasn't shown what many wanted to see.
So much so that Davis is now viewed by many as the back the Cowboys could go with to back up Javonte. Others are even suggesting the Cowboys could go and trade for a running back.
As for Abanikanda, if he has another good preseason outing against the Cardinals, then who knows how this running back room will sort itself out.
But one thing I do know, right now, Blue's place on this offense is anything but a sure thing.
And Davis and Abanikanda are big reasons why.
