# Malik Davis carted off with a hip injury

> The Cowboys' RB2 went down at Friday practice, and Stephen Jones says it looks bad.
- Title: Malik Davis carted off with a hip injury | Shortify
- Summary: The Cowboys' RB2 went down at Friday practice, and Stephen Jones says it looks bad. Emari Demercado, claimed off waivers days ago, is now the likely RB2 for…
- Keywords: cowboys, nfl, injuries, running backs, roster, sports, Malik, Davis, carted, hip, injury, Dallas Cowboys On SI
- Source: Dallas Cowboys On SI — https://si.com/nfl/cowboys/onsi/malik-davis-carted-dallas-cowboys-practice-injury
- Published: 2026-09-11T18:54:17+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cowboys, nfl, injuries, running backs, roster, sports
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Emari Demercado, claimed off waivers days ago, is now the likely RB2 for Sunday night in New York.