The Dallas Cowboys had high hopes for veteran running back Malik Davis this season. But after suffering an injury Friday, Davis won’t play in 2026.
The Cowboys placed Davis on injured reserve Saturday — a day prior to the team kicking off the season versus the New York Giants. Davis won’t return this season, as Dallas didn’t designate the running back to return off IR in 2026.
As a corresponding move, the Cowboys signed running back Israel Abanikanda from their practice squad to the active roster. Dallascowboys.com’s Patrik Walker reported both Saturday moves on X.
![Patrik [No C] Walker](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1946640157798494209/XNWwENH__normal.jpg){kind=small}
Davis left practice Friday on a cart after suffering a hip injury. ESPN’s Todd Archer reported shortly after the practice that an IR stint was very likely for the running back.
But going on IR with no hope to return this season is clearly the worse-case scenario.
Davis was about to start his fifth regular season with the Cowboys since joining the club as an undrafted free agent in 2022. In 25 games, he has rushed for 411 yards and three touchdowns.
Entering 2026, the Cowboys had Davis as their RB2 behind starter Javonte Williams.
Cowboys Place Malik Davis on IR, Ending His Season
Davis surprised some pundits this summer, winning the RB2 job in Dallas ahead of second-year running back Jaydon Blue. The Cowboys had so much confidence in Davis that they cut Blue at the NFL’s roster deadline at the end of August.
But Davis will now spend the season rehabbing from a hip injury. Archer reported he will undergo surgery immediately on Saturday.
Davis left on a cart at Friday’s practice.
The running back made his Cowboys debut as a rookie in 2022 despite being undrafted. He appeared in a career-high 12 contests that season.
Davis played three contests during 2023 and then didn’t play at all in 2024, spending that entire campaign on the practice squad. Last season, Davis ran for 250 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games.
His 250 rushing yards and 266 yards from scrimmage were career bests.
Cowboys Sign RB Israel Abanikanda to Active Roster
Without Davis, the Cowboys were left with only Emari Demercado at running back on the active roster behind Williams. Dallas landed Demercado on waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs shortly after the roster deadline.
To supplement Williams and Demercado, the Cowboys signed Abanikanda from the practice squad. He will take Davis’ roster spot, with the veteran landing on IR.
The New York Jets drafted Abanikanda at No. 143 overall in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He appeared in six contests with the Jets as a rookie, posting 70 rushing yards and seven receptions for 43 additional yards.
Abanikanda hasn’t played in the NFL regular season since 2023. Over the past nearly three years, he’s experienced stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers in addition to the Cowboys.
Abanikanda has been in Dallas since November 2025. He will make his Cowboys debut Sunday versus the Giants.
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