Carted off in Frisco

Malik Davis went down during the Cowboys' final practice of the week on Friday and needed a cart to leave the field.

Stephen Jones confirms the worst

The Cowboys executive said Davis is dealing with something that could sideline him well beyond the opener.

“a pretty serious injury that could take him out for some period of time”

Sunday is in doubt

Clarence Hill of DLLS Cowboys reported the team was still checking the severity, but the early read was not encouraging.

“The Cowboys are looking into severity of it. Doesn't look good for Sunday at the moment.”

It's the hip

Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram pinned it down: a hip injury, with Davis leaving practice in a vehicle.

“His status is in serious doubt for Sunday night's opener in New York.”

One caveat on the cart

Teams reach for the cart far more often now, even for minor stuff. It is still a bad sign, just not proof on its own.

He won the RB2 job

Davis beat out Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah this offseason. Neither of them survived cutdown day.

A thin room gets thinner

Dallas carries only three true running backs on the 53: Javonte Williams, Davis, and Emari Demercado. Hunter Luepke is a fullback.

Demercado moves up

Claimed off waivers from Kansas City after cutdown day, he slides from RB3 to RB2 if Davis sits, which now looks likely.

“Emari is a guy that Klayton has some exposure to. A good veteran that plays special teams.”

What he brings

Demercado can rip off chunk gains and holds up as a pass-catcher and blocker, so the offense does not have to shrink around him.

The next move

Israel Abanikanda sits on the practice squad and can be elevated for Sunday, or promoted outright if Davis is out long term.