The Philadelphia Eagles have waived running back Jaydon Blue, a move announced via the NFL transaction wire on Tuesday that further thins an already injury-strained backfield.
The 22-year-old former Texas standout joins a long list of depth pieces the team has cycled through this season as it manages absences among its primary runners.
Blue arrived in Philadelphia after an abbreviated and largely unproductive stay with the Dallas Cowboys.
A four-star high-school recruit, he spent three seasons at Texas before declaring for the draft and landing with Dallas in the fifth round of the 2025 selection.
He signed a four-year rookie contract valued at roughly $4.6 million, including a signing bonus just over $427,000. Opportunities proved scarce.
In five appearances as a rookie he carried the ball 38 times for 129 yards and a touchdown while adding a single reception for five yards.
The Cowboys released him following training camp in 2026, opening the door for a cross-division landing spot.
Blue joined the Eagles’ practice squad and subsequently moved between the active roster and the developmental squad several times.
In 2026, he has suited up for two games, catching one pass for nine yards and recording no rushing attempts.
Much of his recent work came on special teams, including kickoff returns, rather than in the offensive backfield. The limited statistical output underscored how little trust the coaching staff placed in him once Saquon Barkley and other options became available, even as the room remained depleted.
The timing of the waiver arrives during the Eagles’ bye week, after the trade deadline and amid ongoing health concerns at the position. Dameon Pierce recently landed on injured reserve, joining Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley, who have also missed time.
With Blue removed from the 53-man roster, Barkley stands as the sole healthy running back currently listed on the active roster who is not on injured reserve.
The organization may look to promote practice-squad veteran Elijah Mitchell or explore other additions to restore depth.
Blue’s path from a mid-round draft pick expected to compete for carries to a player waived by two NFC East clubs in consecutive seasons illustrates the narrow margin for error for late-round backs.
His speed and college production once generated optimism, yet translating that into consistent NFL snaps has proved difficult.
Whether he clears waivers and returns to Philadelphia’s practice squad for another stint, or catches on elsewhere, remains to be seen.
For now the Eagles have chosen to move on, prioritizing roster flexibility as they prepare for the stretch run with limited proven options behind their star back.
