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It is unclear whether this is a season-ending injury or if Davis has a chance to return later in the year. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported earlier that the Cowboys were “bracing for an extended absence” and that a source told him, “it’s bad.” It sounds like Davis’ 2026 season may be over. Cowboys RB Emari Demercado now sits behind starting RB Javonte Williams, and RB Israel Abanikanda is on the practice squad.

Regarding Davis’ injury, Fowler’s source said simply, “it’s bad.” The Cowboys’ No. 2 running back is undergoing further testing, but we expect them to place him on injured reserve before long. The Cowboys waived RB Jaydon Blue and RB Phil Mafah last month. Blue has since signed with the Eagles’ practice squad. The Cowboys have RB Emari Demercado on the active roster behind RB Javonte Williams. Currently, only RB Israel Abanikanda is on the practice squad in Dallas.

Hill was quickly ruled out for Week 1. Dallas cut Phil Mafah and Jaydon Blue at the end of camp, briefly leaving Davis as the only backup running back on their roster. They eventually signed Emari Demercado after he was released by Kansas City. If the injury is serious, the Cowboys could bring either Mafah or Blue back, given their familiarity with the system. The Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins reported shortly afterward that Davis has suffered a hip injury, though no further details were given.

Davis appears to have secured a roster spot, but we won’t know for sure until Sunday. The broadcast initially referred to him as the starter, but it was instead RB Phil Mafah who took the field. Mafah dominated backfield touches throughout the first half, repeatedly running into Saints defenders on runs up the middle. He was spelled by RB Israel Abanikanda. Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue does not seem to be playing this evening. Last Sunday, The Athletic’s Jon Machota predicted Blue would seize the No. 2 running back job from Davis in-season.

Davis got the start in Saturday’s preseason game against the Cardinals, rushing five times for 29 yards while adding one catch for eight yards and a touchdown. The 27-year-old back has gained steam in recent weeks as the favorite to win the Cowboys’ RB2 job out of camp, but Machota also said he believes “Jaydon Blue takes (the RB2 job) during the season.” Blue rushed 15 times for a team-high 75 yards in Saturday’s win over the Cardinals, ripping off multiple chunk gains on the day. While we still have one preseason game left to go, Ultimately if Javonte Williams goes down this will likely be a committee, but Davis could have some stash value in deeper leagues.

Fantasy managers will want to tuck this away in the memory bank for later. Harris said that “just based on last year’s late-season production,” he would give the edge to Davis, but said the team has confidence in second-year backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah as well. Davis is a fifth-year veteran of the league who has spent his entire career with the Cowboys, surviving multiple training camp cuts and stints on the practice squad to remain with the team. Last season, Davis rushed 52 times for 250 yards and two touchdowns, and has a career rushing line of 90-411-3. His limited ability in the passing game could work against him while Blue and Mafah attempt to secure the RB2 role for themselves, but Davis could prove to be the early-season handcuff for Williams in fantasy.

Davis took over as Dallas’ main backup to Javonte Williams down the stretch, eventually notching a 20/103 game against the Commanders in Week 17 in a game Williams left. He finishes the year with a 52/250/2 line. The former UDFA is under contract for 2026 with a $1.145 million cap hit.

Davis worked into the offense early behind starter Javonte Williams but was thrust into the featured role following the latter’s departure in the second quarter. Positive game environment allowed Davis to see a robust 20 carries to end the fantasy season. DFSers will want to follow Williams’ practice status ahead of a Week 18 meeting with a Giants team allowing explosive runs at the league’s highest rate.

He handled 19 snaps and could develop a meaningful role at some point in the next two games if Javonte Williams’ workload is further managed or is shut down. What we’ve seen so far isn’t enough to get him on the FLEX line against the Commanders in Week 17.

Davis scored from one yard out on the team’s second possession following an injury to starter Javonte Williams. Williams departed in the first quarter and missed the remainder of the first half before returning with the starters after the break. Fantasy managers will want to track Williams’ activity level in practice in the coming week ahead of a Week 16 meeting with the Chargers.

Davis is emerging as the clear RB2 behind Javonte Williams, who had 87 scoreless yards on 20 rushes against a tough Philadelphia front seven in Week 12. Davis showed a lot of burst on two of his three carries against the Eagles, including a 21-yard run up the middle. Davis should be stashed on fantasy benches this week in case Williams gets dinged up down the stretch. Jaydon Blue was once again a healthy inactive in Week 12.

Davis was active as the backup to Javonte Williams in Week 9 over rookie Jaydon Blue and saw just one carry for three yards. He has played in three games this season, totaling three carries for six yards. The Cowboys jettisoning Davis either indicates rookie seventh-rounder Phil Mafah (shoulder) is nearing a return from injured reserve or a renewed confidence in Blue. Either way, Williams will continues to dominate backfield touches for the Cowboys. Davis is also a candidate to return via practice squad.

Clearing roster space for their rookie class, the Cowboys also parted ways with OG Jack Anderson, LB Brock Mogensen, and OT Earl Bostick Jr. Davis spent 2024 on the Cowboys’ practice squad and signed a reserve/futures contract with them at the end of the season. He is a long-shot to make an NFL roster this year.