Malik Davis will miss the rest of the season after hurting his hip during Friday practice, the Cowboys said. A cart carried him off the field at The Star in Frisco, and he underwent surgery later that night before the team placed him on season-ending injured reserve. The outdoor workout was non-contact and only marginally beyond a basic walk-through.
Davis had won the backup running back job behind Javonte Williams after competing for it through most of August. His training camp and preseason performances had positioned him to contribute in the Cowboys' Sunday game against the Giants. Stephen Jones, the team's chief operating officer, told 105.3 The Fan that the injury was disappointing for Davis and the Cowboys.
Jones said Davis had earned the role through his work and that other players would have to take on the work.
The Cowboys signed veteran Emari Demercado for depth and special teams help. Israel Abanikanda, who is on the practice squad, also could get more chances. The team could elevate Abanikanda for the game or place him on the active roster.
Davis backed up Williams last season, totaling 252 yards rushing and two touchdowns. An undrafted free agent who joined Dallas in 2022, he appeared in 12 games as a rookie and gained 161 rushing yards.
