Cowboys RB Malik Davis Suffers ‘Serious’ Hip Injury

The Cowboys quickly ruled Davis out for their opener against the Giants, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic, and an even longer absence is in store. In an appearance on 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones revealed that it’s a “pretty serious injury that could take him out for some period of time.”

“It’s bad,” a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Davis, who went undrafted out of Florida in 2022, yo-yoed between the Cowboys’ practice squad and roster over his first four seasons. The 27-year-old entered 2025 with just 38 career carries (all of which came during a 12-game rookie season), but he got a chance to showcase himself during a Christmas Day win over the Commanders in Week 17.

With starter Javonte Williams limited because of a shoulder injury, Davis ran for 103 yards on 20 attempts. That went down as the last game of the year for Davis, who landed on IR with calf and eye injuries ahead of the Cowboys’ regular-season finale. He ended his 10-game 2025 with 250 yards and two touchdowns on 52 carries (4.8 YPC). Davis also recorded a special teams snap share of at least 52% for the third time.

The Cowboys re-signed Williams to a three-year, $24MM deal before free agency opened in the offseason, keeping him in place as their starter. The team then gave Davis a chance to compete with Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah for the backup job during the summer. Not only did Davis go on to win the battle, but he played well enough for the Cowboys to bump Blue and Mafah off their roster on cutdown day on Aug. 30. Blue joined the Eagles’ practice squad, while Mafah is still available in free agency.

A day after giving Blue and Mafah the boot, the Cowboys successfully claimed former Cardinal Emari Demercado off waivers. Williams, Demercado and FB Hunter Luepke are now the only healthy backs on their 53-man roster. Israel Abanikanda is also in the organization as a practice squad option.