The Dallas Cowboys may be staring at a running back shortage after Malik Davis was carted off the practice field on Friday.
Davis got hurt during the team’s final practice of the week, and according to DLLS Cowboys’ Clarence Hill, the club is still trying to figure out how serious it is. Hill wrote, “Cowboys RB Malik Davis was carted off the practice field with an injury, per source,” and added, “The Cowboys are looking into severity of it. Doesn’t look good for Sunday at the moment.”
At this point, the exact injury has not been identified, and there’s no official word yet on how long Davis might be out. Brian Schottenheimer is expected to speak with the media after practice, which could bring the first real update. If that doesn’t happen there, Dallas will release its final injury report later in the day.
The timing is especially rough for a backfield that already looks thin. Davis had won the RB2 battle this offseason over Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, both of whom were cut before the regular season roster settled. He entered the year as one of only three true running backs on the Cowboys’ 53-man roster, joining starter Javonte Williams and backup Emari Demercado.
Hunter Luepke is also on the roster, but he’s listed as a fullback, not a running back.
Demercado was brought in after cutdown day on waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs to handle the RB3 spot behind Williams and Davis. If Davis can’t go, Demercado would move up into the RB2 role.
Dallas also has Israel Abanikanda on the practice squad and could elevate him for Sunday if it wants another body in the backfield. If the team doesn’t go that route, Luepke would be the emergency third running back.
If the injury turns out to be significant enough to sideline Davis for an extended stretch, Abanikanda could be promoted to the active roster, and the Cowboys would likely add another back to the practice squad.
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