Cowboys Star RB Suffers Season-Ending Injury Just Days Before Season Opener
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Dallas Cowboys just lost their backup running back two days before Sunday night’s season opener. Malik Davis suffered a serious hip injury during Friday practice, and trainers carted him off.
He had finally locked down the RB2 job after years on the practice squad. Dallas planned to lean on him behind Javonte Williams against the New York Giants on Sunday night. That entire plan collapsed during one Friday practice session at the team’s Frisco facility.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones did not hide how ugly the first reports looked.
“I think we’re looking at a pretty serious injury that could take him out for some period of time.”
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones provides an update on RB Malik Davis’ hip injury with the @gbagnation:
“I think we’re looking at a pretty serious injury that could take him out for some period of time. We don’t have the final details. We’ll know more (soon)…” pic.twitter.com/dgItFkB4RM
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) September 11, 2026
Jones also praised the runner after the setback hit camp.
“Very disappointing. Malik has done everything the right way.”
Malik Davis Hip Surgery Ends His Breakthrough Year
ESPN’s Todd Archer later confirmed the worst-case outcome for the 27-year-old backup.
“Cowboys running back Malik Davis is scheduled to have hip surgery on Saturday and be placed on injured reserve.”
BREAKING: Cowboys RB Malik Davis suffered a serious hip injury during today’s practice and will undergo surgery on Saturday 🚨
Davis, who earned the RB2 job during training camp and was set to have a role on offense, is expected to miss the entire 2026 season.
(via Todd Archer) pic.twitter.com/rsCwLNrAO3
— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) September 12, 2026
Reports now say Malik Davis should miss the entire 2026 season after Saturday’s procedure. The Florida product went undrafted in 2022 and spent four years fighting for roster spots. He broke through last season with 416 rushing yards and three touchdowns in limited work. A Christmas Day game against Washington produced his first 100-yard night, with 103 yards.
Camp started with Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah ahead of him on the unofficial depth chart. Malik Davis flipped that ranking with strong preseason work, including 68 yards on 12 carries. He also hauled in an eight-yard receiving touchdown during those August preseason games against Arizona.
What The Malik Davis Injury Means For Dallas
Dallas now turns to Emari Demercado, a waiver claim from Kansas City, as the new backup. Fullback Hunter Luepke can handle extra snaps, and Israel Abanikanda still sits on the practice squad. Starter Javonte Williams should see a heavier workload in the Week 1 meeting with New York.
The Cowboys already lost Pro Bowl guard Tyler Smith to thumb surgery earlier this week. Losing Malik Davis in the same week leaves the offense thinner than Dallas wanted in September.
Brian Schottenheimer has already called Williams the bell-cow back for this season. That plan now looks even heavier without a proven change-of-pace option. Dallas can elevate another runner on Sunday if the staff wants a third body.
The timing still stings after Malik Davis finally earned the job he chased for years.
