Sanders, 28, signed on with the Cowboys this past spring on a one-year deal, and that means, barring an extension being signed in the offseason to come, his time in Dallas has come to a premature end after suffering injury in the tie versus the Green Bay Packers in Week 4.
The move will vacate a seat on the active 53-man roster, and the team’s coaching staff and front office are currently working through conversations to determine what the corresponding move will be. Just last week, ahead of their bout with an eventual victory over the New York Jets, they activated the 21-day practice window on cornerback Caelen Carson and wide receiver Jonathan Mingo — both hoping to return from a knee injury.
But while Carson continues to be a full participant in practice, Mingo is dealing with knee soreness that jeopardizes his status, though the team has until Oct. 22 to either activate one or both of them, or they’ll revert to season-ending injured reserve alongside Sanders.
“There’s a good chance Carson might come up, to get him going,” Jones added.
Time will tell whose practice window, of those on the upswing in IR rehab, will be activated next week, following the return from Carolina, but there are several candidates who will officially qualify if they’re given the medical green light, e.g., starting center Cooper Beebe and rookie running back Phil Mafah.
The latter was moved to IR ahead of Week 1 and qualified to return to practice in Week 5, and the Cowboys saw the debut of fellow rookie Jaydon Blue against Gang Green, the duo possibly serving as a potential one-two punch behind Javonte Williams, one of the best in the league through five weeks, with Sanders no longer being an option.
“We’re still fired up to see what Jaydon Blue can be for this offense,” said Jones. “He’s got rare explosiveness and I know coach Schottenheimer and his staff are going to continue to figure out the best way to use him. I think he’s really gonna bring something to this offense that we haven’t had. As much as I respect Sanders, I think Blue can really bring some juice to this offense.”
Mafah must first clear another couple of hurdles before that’s the case, though.
Depth also exists at the position by way of Malik Davis, another veteran who returned to the Cowboys this past preseason and in impressive fashion, before later signing to the team’s practice squad. In the event Mafah requires more time, Davis qualifies for three game day elevations before he’d be unable to be automatically returned to the 17-man unit.
But, for Sanders, the season is over, and he’ll look to rehab en route to seeing what 2026 free agency has in store for him.
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