Malik Davis will miss the season after injuring his hip Friday during an outdoor workout at The Star in Frisco. The Cowboys said he was transported off the field in a cart, underwent surgery later that night and was designated for season-ending injured reserve. The non-contact session was just beyond a walk-through in intensity.
Davis had won the backup job behind Javonte Williams following a competition that lasted through most of August. His training-camp and preseason performances led the Cowboys to expect him to contribute in Sunday's game against the Giants. Stephen Jones, the team's chief operating officer, told 105.3 The Fan that the injury was disappointing for both Davis and the Cowboys.
Jones said Davis had earned the position through his work and that other players would have to fill the opening.
The Cowboys signed veteran Emari Demercado for backfield depth and special-teams help. Israel Abanikanda, who is on the practice squad, also could have a larger role. The team could elevate Abanikanda for the game or add him to the active roster.
Davis, who joined Dallas as an undrafted free agent in 2022, had 252 rushing yards and two touchdowns last season. He appeared in 12 games as a rookie and gained 161 yards, then spent the next two seasons on the practice squad before making last year's roster. His 103-yard performance at that training camp was his only career game above 100 rushing yards.