Davis signed with the Cowboys' practice squad Wednesday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. The Cowboys opted to keep Deuce Vaughn on the initial 53-man roster behind Ezekiell Elliott and Rico Dowdle. Dallas also signed sign Dalvin Cook to the practice squad Wednesday, and he could be added to the active roster ahead of Week 1. Davis will have a chance to be elevated to the game-day roster should any of the aforementioned running backs miss any time.
Unlock the latest Dallas Cowboys news — direct to your inbox.
Status
ACTIVELatest Malik Davis news
Team
Dallas Cowboys
Birthdate
11/26/1998 (26)
Status
Practice Squad
HT/WT
5'11", 202 lbs
Birthplace
Tampa, FL, USA
Position
RB
College
Florida
Experience
2 seasons
Career History
Dallas Cowboys
2022-Present
(3 seasons)
Davis signed with the Cowboys' practice squad Wednesday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. The Cowboys opted to keep Deuce Vaughn on the initial 53-man roster behind Ezekiell Elliott and Rico Dowdle. Dallas also signed sign Dalvin Cook to the practice squad Wednesday, and he could be added to the active roster ahead of Week 1. Davis will have a chance to be elevated to the game-day roster should any of the aforementioned running backs miss any time.
The Cowboys waived Davis on Tuesday. Davis appeared in three regular-season games for the Cowboys in 2023 while spending most of the season on the practice squad. He entered training camp battling Deuce Vaughn and Royce Freeman for a backup running back role behind Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott. Davis didn't get a lot of opportunities across his three preseason outings, finishing with 18 carries for 60 yards while adding three catches on seven targets for 18 yards. Assuming he clears waivers, Davis could look to remain in Dallas on the practice squad or explore his opportunities elsewhere.
Davis carried the ball five times for 28 yards and caught his only target for minus-2 yards in Saturday's 26-19 preseason loss to the Chargers. He also returned one kickoff for 25 yards. Davis got the start once again in the backfield with Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott sitting out, but he quickly yielded snaps to Deuce Vaughn and eventually Royce Freeman. Which of those backs will claim depth roles on the RB depth chart remains unclear, but Davis at least didn't seem to hurt his chances with a solid, if abbreviated, performance Saturday.
Davis rushed five times for 14 yards and returned one kickoff for 14 yards in the Cowboys' 27-12 preseason win over the Raiders on Saturday night. Davis was the first Cowboys running back to log a touch with Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle sitting out, but he found limited success during his time on the field. Davis did not record any rush attempts or receptions last season after carrying 38 times for 161 yards and a touchdown and recording six receptions in his rookie 2022 campaign, and he's battling the likes of Deuce Vaughn and Royce Freeman for a reserve running back spot with one preseason game remaining.