In 1979, he was set to contend with Newhouse for the starting fullback job, but Laidlaw suffered a pulled hamstring in training camp and was unable to make a serious challenge. After Newhouse was limited with a leg injury he sustained in the season opener, him and Laidlaw were used as interchangeable play messengers during the first half of the season. Laidlaw could never regain his full strength however, because of a cyst he had behind his left knee that was removed until the offseason.