Injuries have been an overarching theme in Dallas Cowboys training camp, and Thursday was much of the same as right tackle Terence Steele, running back Jaydon Blue and tight end Jake Ferguson all exited practice with injuries.
Steele was able to return after receiving treatment after he was poked in the eye, but the same could not be said for Blue and Ferguson.
It would appear that both players avoided serious injuries, with Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporting that Blue suffered a bone bruise in his heel. The team is still awaiting tests on Ferguson's back, but there is optimism that he won't be out long.
Cowboys get positive injury updates on Jaydon Blue and Jake Ferguson
It is unclear if Blue will play in Saturday's preseason opener. The Cowboys might hold him out of Saturday's preseason opener for precautionary reasons, but the fact he avoided an ankle sprain or something more severe is a huge win.
Blue was twisted to the ground awkwardly on a facemask tackle from Sam Williams. He was carted to the injury tent - which is standard protocol in training camp - and headed to the locker room for further evaluation. Per Harris, Blue's heel got stepped on in the commotion.
That sounds extremely painful, but it is a lot better than a twisted ankle. Micah Parsons missed four games last season (six, according to Jerry Jones) with a high-ankle sprain, and tight end Brevy Spann-Ford has missed the last two weeks of practice with a low-grade high-ankle sprain. That isn't to downplay Blue's heel injury, but this could have been much worse.
The fifth-round pick out of Texas has been a huge standout in Oxnard. He has impressed with his vision, pass-catching and ability to run between the tackles as a smaller back. His speed and lateral quickness have given Dallas' defense fits. He is comfortably the most explosive RB on the roster and is making a real case to have a featured role.
While Blue needs the reps in preseason, it's probably in the Cowboys' best interest to sit him on Saturday. That would be a bummer as Blue has generated a lot of buzz in camp, but having him fully healthy for the regular season is the most important outcome here.