The Dallas Cowboys placed running back Malik Davis on injured reserve with a hip injury requiring surgery, dealing a major blow to their backfield depth just ahead of their season opener against the New York Giants, according to official team reports and the Associated Press.
The Injury and Roster Impact
Malik Davis sustained a hip injury during a non-contact practice Friday in Frisco, Texas, resulting in a cart ride off the field and a subsequent placement on season-ending injured reserve Saturday. According to the Associated Press, the injury requires surgery and halts what had been a productive stretch for the running back. Dallas chief operating officer Stephen Jones confirmed the seriousness of the injury during team availability, though a specific medical diagnosis and rehabilitation timeline beyond the season-ending designation were not immediately released.
Before the injury, Davis had secured the No. 2 running back position behind starter Javonte Williams. He held that spot through a competitive training camp that included second-year back Jaydon Blue out of Texas. With Davis sidelined, the Cowboys’ backfield composition shifted rapidly ahead of Sunday’s kickoff.
Roster Adjustments and Next Man Up
To fill the void behind Williams, the Cowboys turned to recent acquisitions and practice squad promotions. According to the Associated Press, Dallas claimed running back Emari Demercado off waivers from Kansas City after waiving Blue at the conclusion of the preseason. Demercado arrives with prior experience in the system, having spent his first two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals alongside current Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams. Demercado recorded 312 rushing yards during his third season in Arizona.
To restore depth on the active roster, Dallas promoted running back Israel Abanikanda from the practice squad. Abanikanda entered the league as a fifth-round draft pick by the New York Jets three seasons ago and joined the Cowboys’ practice squad last year. Fullback Hunter Luepke also remains available in the offensive backfield.
Backfield Production and Outlook
Malik Davis proved to be a reliable option for Dallas last season, rushing for 411 yards and three touchdowns as the primary backup. His absence removes a trusted contributor who averaged steady production during camp. While Javonte Williams remains the undisputed starter, the reshuffled rotation behind him places immediate responsibility on Demercado to absorb backup duties in Sunday’s matchup at MetLife Stadium against the Giants.
The Cowboys will manage these backfield adjustments alongside other early-season roster challenges as they open their 2026 campaign.
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