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Cowboys' Running Game Fails to Impress in Rams Joint Practice
8 Aug
Summary
- Cowboys' running backs struggle in joint practice with Rams
- Head coach Schottenheimer says team was playing "vanilla" offense
- Rookie Jaydon Blue has been impressive in training camp

In the lead-up to the 2025 NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys have been closely monitoring their deep running back room, which includes recent draft picks Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, as well as established talents like Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams. However, the team's running game faced a setback during a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams on August 8th, 2025.
According to head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the Cowboys were intentionally running a "vanilla" offense during the practice, focusing more on execution than game-planning. This approach, however, resulted in the team's running backs struggling to make an impact, with the exception of a successful sweep by Javonte Williams.
Schottenheimer acknowledged that the lack of game-planning presented challenges, but he remained confident in the team's ability to run the ball effectively. He emphasized that the practice was more about the Cowboys evaluating their own players and execution, rather than specifically preparing for the Rams.
Despite the underwhelming performance, the Cowboys' running back group has generated significant buzz throughout training camp. Rookie Jaydon Blue, in particular, has been turning heads with his impressive running and receiving abilities, even earning some first-team reps. The team remains optimistic that their deep backfield will be a strength in the upcoming season.