Cowboys Rookie RB Gets Good News From OC Klayton Adams

Last week, Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer sat down for an interview on a local Dallas radio station. He spoke about rookie RB Jaydon Blue, the progress he’s made since his injury, and what they’re looking for from him moving forward. At the time, Blue had been inactive for all three of the Cowboys‘ games, and he was again inactive in Week 4 against the Packers.

In that interview, Schottenheimer said that Blue was practicing well and stacking good weeks, and the only reason he hadn’t been made active on game day yet was the need for more bodies on defense due to mounting injuries on that side of the ball.

On Thursday, Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams answered a question about Blue during his weekly press conference, reinforcing what Schottenheimer had said the week prior.

“Yeah, I would echo Coach [Schottenheimer]’s sentiments on that,” Adams said. “In fact, I’ve had that conversation with him in the past, man. ‘You’re doing really well, it’s gonna be really more about opportunity here than it is [you]. You’re not being punished or anything like that.'”

“And so he has continued to keep his head down and work hard, and at some point here he’ll get out there, and I expect him to play well and do special things when he does.”

Dallas Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue Might Be Needed in Week 5

Sam Hodde/GettyARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 28: Javonte Williams #33 of the Dallas Cowboys runs against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

The Cowboys plays the Jets in Week 5, and it stands to reason that Blue could be activated for the first time this season. Starting RB Javonte Williams has been fantastically productive, and he takes the bulk of the snaps and work at running back. His backup, Miles Sanders, is the only other traditional running back to get snaps for the Cowboys this season.

But Sanders suffered a knee injury against the Packers, forcing the Cowboys to play fullback Hunter Luepke at halfback whenever Williams needed a breather. Sanders’ game status for Week 5 is up in the air, so Blue may be needed as Williams’ backup this week.

If so, the coaching staff clearly believes in him. Blue’s speed could be a jolt of explosiveness for this Cowboys offense, something they could use. If nothing else, it’s an opportunity for the fifth-round rookie out of Texas to make an impact on the field.

The Dallas Cowboys Need to Start Stacking Wins

Managing to get a tie out of that massive Sunday night game against the Packers is closer to a win for Dallas than it is for Green Bay, but at 1-2-1, the Cowboys need to start getting some wins if they want to return to the playoffs this year.

The Cowboys have a stretch of very winnable games upcoming before their schedule stiffens. Over the next seven weeks, the Cowboys play the Jets, Panthers, Commanders, Broncos, Cardinals, and Raiders, with their bye week coming between the Cardinals and Raiders games. Going 4-2 in that stretch would be huge for Dallas, especially considering what they have on the schedule after that.

Starting in late November, the Cowboys play the Eagles, Chiefs, Lions, Vikings, Chargers, Commanders, and Giants. If Dallas wants to stack wins, now is time.

Last year, Will Levis scored more points in his first game than Cam Ward has all season. Cam has only one touchdown in four games. We owe Will Levis an apology

When the Tennessee Titans made Cam Ward the top pick in April's NFL Draft, they did so knowing the transition wouldn’t be linear.

Four games into his rookie season, the Titans are still searching for their first win, and the box score stats don’t scream instant superstar. But dig beneath the surface, and the signs are unmistakable: Ward is settling in, adjusting to NFL speed, and showing why Tennessee hitched its future to his right arm.

Through four weeks, the surface tells us Ward has thrown two touchdowns and two picks -- modest production by the numbers. But the development of a young quarterback isn’t defined solely by stat lines, especially behind a roster still in flux.

Will Levis, in his first four starts of the 2023 season, recorded 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, with a completion rate close to 59% and over 850 passing yards. He even won one of those games, showing promising potential as a rookie QB for the Titans.

Cam Ward, through his first four games in the 2025 season, has struggled more, with only 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, a lower completion percentage around 51%, and no wins so far. His passing yards are also significantly lower, just over 600 yards.

Titans rookie QB Cam Ward flashing face-of-the-franchise talent despite winless start

What’s mattered most is Ward's composure, growth in processing speed, and his flashes of undeniable arm talent that already pop on tape. Early on, the jump in defensive disguises, timing windows, and rush pressure was evident.

Tennessee’s offensive line remains inconsistent, and the supporting cast is still meshing with a new quarterback. Yet Ward hasn’t looked overwhelmed. Each week, he’s shown more command of the offense, more confidence operating from the pocket, and a faster trigger when progressions open.

One of the most promising elements of his game so far has been his poise under duress. Even when the pocket collapses, he’s demonstrated the ability to reset, slide, and deliver with velocity to the outside hashes -- something only a handful of quarterbacks in the league can do consistently.

Ward is displaying dynamic traits the Titans can build around

Ward's arm strength isn’t just good; it’s dynamic. Drives to the far sideline, layered throws between zones, and off-platform releases have all shown up in the first month of his career.

The sensational throws he's already put on film tell a story bigger than his touchdown-to-interception ratio. Tennessee has dialed up concepts asking him to read full-field progressions, attack leverage, and trust his arm in tight windows.

Ward has responded with flashes of high-level anticipation, particularly on outbreaking routes and seams. During his lengthy collegiate career at Incarnate Word, Washington State and Miami, he lived off extending plays and improvisation.

In Tennessee, he’s learning to blend that natural creativity with structure -- and the growth is visible.

Ward showcasing necessary growth that indicates the arrow is pointing up in Tennessee

Oftentimes, the biggest hurdle for rookie quarterbacks is timing and adjusting to the speed of the NFL game. The windows are smaller. The blitzes are smarter. Defenders close faster.

Ward has progressed in each of those areas in just four weeks. Where Week 1 showed hesitation at times, Week 4 showed rhythm. Where early reps displayed reliance on his first read, recent drives have shown checkdowns and backside progressions becoming part of his toolkit.

There have been mistakes -- the interceptions reflect that -- but even the turnovers have come with lessons.

Instead of forcing balls into bracket coverage or holding it too long, he’s started to throw with more decisiveness and touch based on coverage keys.

Even as Tennessee struggles to find rhythm on offense and search for their first notch in the win column, Ward has maintained a steady presence in the huddle. Coaches have praised his preparation, his communication, and his resilience after setbacks.

He’s not shrinking in the spotlight of being a franchise quarterback -- he’s acclimating to it.

Ward is showing terrific command of Titans offense

It’s also clear that as the surroundings improve, so will his results. Tennessee still needs help at receiver, the offensive line is a work in progress, and the run game hasn’t provided the balance Ward needs to thrive. And that's before we ever talk about the defense.

Yet even with those limitations, he’s managed to deliver moments where his potential jumps off the screen.

The Titans didn’t draft Ward to be a finished product by October, they turned in his card to be the face of the franchise for the next decade. And through four games -- from the arm angles to the pocket movement to the increasing comfort in the offense -- he’s showing exactly why that belief was warranted.

Wins will eventually come. The stats will climb. The highlight throws will transition into consistent production. Right now, the Titans are getting exactly what you want from a rookie quarterback on a rebuilding roster: progress, poise, and glimpses of something much bigger taking shape in Nashville.

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