# Cowboys rookie carted off days before his debut

> Malik Davis earned the No. 2 running back job out of camp, then went down at Friday practice.
- Title: Cowboys rookie carted off days before his debut · Newsweek
- Summary: Malik Davis earned the No. 2 running back job out of camp, then went down at Friday practice. An undrafted rookie who climbed to RB2 may miss his own debut…
- Keywords: nfl, dallas cowboys, injury, running back, malik davis, Cowboys, rookie, carted, days, debut, Newsweek
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/sports/nfl/cowboys-running-back-carted-off-practice-field-on-friday-12433806
- Author: Matt Audilet
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nfl, dallas cowboys, injury, running back, malik davis
## A rookie who earned it
Undrafted running back Malik Davis played his way up through Cowboys training camp and preseason, landing the No. 2 job behind Javonte Williams for 2026.
## Carted off on Friday
Multiple reporters at practice saw Davis leave the field on a cart. The team has not said what the injury is or how bad it looks.
## The cart says plenty
Nobody has put a timeline on it yet, but players who need a ride off the practice field rarely get good news the next morning.
## What the insider heard
Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill Jr. said the team is still checking the severity, and that Sunday already looks like a long shot.

> Doesn't look good for Sunday at the moment Hopefully it's not too serious. Davis was finally getting his opportunity.
## Days from his first game
Davis was set to make his career debut in Week 1 against the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football, kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET.
## Demercado waits in line
If Davis cannot go, Emari Demercado slides into the No. 2 spot behind Williams and takes the carries Davis spent all summer winning.
## Key takeaway

An undrafted rookie who climbed to RB2 may miss his own debut, and Emari Demercado is next in line.