Before the preseason opener, DeeJay Dallas appeared to be the odd man out in what appeared to be a crowded running back room. With a strong showing against the New Orleans Saints, he would have increased his odds of sticking around with the Jacksonville Jaguars next season. However, he failed to take advantage of his chances in the 24-20 win.
With Bhayshul Tuten, LeQuint Allen Jr., and Chris Rodriguez not suiting up for the bout, Dallas got the starting nod against New Orleans. He wasn't able to make the most out of it, toting the rock 10 times for 26 yards. His longest run went for eight yards, so it's fair to say that the veteran left a bit to be desired.
In his defense, the offensive line wasn't able to open holes in the running game, and things got even worse when Chuma Edoga left the game with an injury. Nevertheless, Dallas wasn't able to generate any plays on his own. To make matters worse, undrafted rookie J'Mari Taylor shined in the second half, so there's a strong chance that Dallas' numbers in Duval are numbered.
Dallas may have trouble making the Jaguars roster in 2026
DeeJay Dallas always had an uphill battle to make the team. The Brunswick, Georgia native signed with the Jags late in 2025 when Bhayshul Tuten suffered a finger injury. They liked him enough that they gave him a new one-year deal early in 2026. At the time, he looked like a good bet to make the roster, as the team's brass hadn't added J'Mari Taylor and veteran Ameer Abdullah yet.
However, Dallas' odds of sticking around took a hit after the arrival of Taylor and Abdullah. While he wasn't outright bad in the offseason program and later in training camp, he didn't stand out either. And being "solid" simply won't cut it in Jacksonville's crowded backfield.
Had Dallas made a strong impression in the opener against the Saints, he would have bought himself more time. But he didn't, and he now appears to be the odd man out.
What's next for DeeJay Dallas after the Jaguars preseason opener
As things stand today, it's hard to see DeeJay Dallas making the initial 53-man roster. Heck, Ameer Abdullah and J'Mari Taylor could also be left out if the Jaguars decide to carry just three running backs next season, which is a realistic possibility.
Circling back to Dallas, it's hard to tell if Jacksonville will move on with him after the opener or wait until cutdown day. Either way, his best bet may be to land on the practice squad. But for that to happen, he'll need to play substantially better in the next two preseason games (if he sticks around).
The truth is that the Jaguars did a good job of raising the team's floor the past two years, so a handful of good players ultimately won't make the cut next season. Based on how things unfolded, DeeJay Dallas falls in that category.
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