With injuries mounting for the Dallas Cowboys, it was time to dig into their depth chart to get players on the field, that meant seeing some rookies get extra playing time. How did the rookie class help in the massive win at MetLife on Sunday? Let’s dive in and find out.
OG Tyler Booker
Currently out with a high ankle sprain.
DE Donovan Ezeiruaku
(Game stats- Snaps: 46, Total Tackles: 3, Pressures: 5, Sacks: 0, TFL: 0)
The rookie rushed like he had someplace to be. Ezeiruaku came out with the same energy he’s showed all season long so far. He kept Justin Fields uncomfortable without losing rush-lane integrity, something we mentioned on the Reading Between the Line series, squeezing the pocket from the outside so the escape hatches stayed closed.
About that first NFL sack, he was this close, twice. Early, he sold speed, stabbed the chest, and flattened at six yards, forcing Fields into a hurried throw that died in the flat. Late, he won again off the edge on a twist, arriving a blink after the ball left. That’s the difference between “almost” and “got him,” and you can feel the bridge getting shorter.
What popped all afternoon was his motor. In the fourth quarter, Ezeiruaku brought the same heat as he did at the start of the game. He chased a boot all the way to the sideline, retraced on a screen, and still had enough to collapse the edge on the very next snap. The pressures showed up because of the Jets’ play-calling with more quick game passes and fewer leisurely shots downfield like Fields had at the start of the game.
This was a great outing for Ezeiruaku that says to coaches to trust him more. The film says the first NFL sack is imminent, the motor says he’ll keep knocking until the door opens, and the Cowboys just found a few more snaps for a rookie who’s learning how to turn speed into finishes.
CB Shavon Revel Jr.
Non-Football Injury list
RB Jaydon Blue
(Game stats- Snaps: 11, Rush Attempts: 4, Rush Yards: 7, Avg: 1.8, Kick Returns: 1, Return Yards: 32)
For a first NFL snap, Blue didn’t tiptoe, instead he made himself useful in a hurry. The rookie’s debut doubled as a special-teams spark, and the Jets felt it on contact. The headline flash came early in a 32-yard kickoff return that looked like fast-forward with a clean track, one cut, and suddenly Dallas was playing on the front foot. That’s how you earn a second touch before the coaches even catch their breath.
Blue’s best play might’ve been the one without a stat. A square, tidy pass-pro pickup that gave Dak the extra half-beat to finish his read. With his shoulders down, hands inside, and showing no-panic textbook stuff for a rookie back willing to put his body on the line. Overall, Blue looked ready, but his turn running the ball didn’t come to much in this game with four carries for seven yards. Still, it was good to see him finally play.
LB Shemar James
(Game stats- Snaps: 59, Total Tackles: 15, Pressures: 1, Sacks: 0)
James got tossed to the field more when Jack Sanborn left with a concussion, and the rookie made an impact. He played fast, he played angry, and he finished with 15 tackles, a team and career high. He showed his ability to scrape, trigger, finish, and then repeat.
It wasn’t all clean. On tape you’ll spot a couple of rookie tells with an over-pursuit on split-zone that opened the cutback lane, a play-action step toward the mesh that opened a window behind him for the quarterback, and one perimeter snap where his angle gave up an extra few yards. Those are teachable dings, not red flags, speed is his superpower, and sometimes the throttle outruns the brakes.
The good far outweighed the bad for sure as James stacked bodies at the line, ran through contact in traffic, and closed space on checkdowns before they could turn into explosives. He flashed control late, and much like Ezeiruaku, he came with the same motor in the fourth quarter.
OT Ajani Cornelius
Inactive
DT Jay Toia
Inactive
RB Phil Mafah
Injured reserve
WR Traeshon Holden
Practice squad
TE Rivaldo Fairweather
Practice squad
LB Justin Barron
Practice squad
CB Alijah Clark
(Game stats- Snaps: 11, Total Tackles: 1)
Clark was called up and played exclusively on special teams. He made one fantastic textbook play as a gunner, getting downfield in an instant using his speed, making the tackle on the returner quickly to quell any chance of a major return. The special teams kick and punt return coverage was good all day by Dallas, not really giving up any major chunk return by the Jets. Clark was a major part of that unit and it should give Cowboys fans some excitement that the team has a solid gunner, and possibly cornerback in time.
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