Javonte Williams's workload grows as Malik Davis heads to IR

Javonte Williams was already the Dallas Cowboys' featured back for Sunday Night Football at the New York Giants. Malik Davis's season-ending hip injury makes that workload heavier and the insurance thinner.

Davis, who had won the No. 2 job after a camp-long competition, is expected on injured reserve after surgery, DallasCowboys.com and ESPN reported, leaving Williams as the clear lead with Emari Demercado and possibly Israel Abanikanda behind him.

Stephen Jones did not soften the blow when he spoke on 105.3 The Fan.

"Very disappointing. Malik's done everything the right way. He's such a good person off the field, he works his ass off, he's come from nowhere to be our No. 2 back, and he's done it the hard way," Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones said on 105.3 The Fan.

"Now unfortunately, I think he's looking at a pretty serious injury. So disappointed for Malik. Obviously tough for our team, but like anything it's next man up."

What Williams loses behind him

Davis was carted off Friday's outdoor practice at The Star during a non-contact period Eatman described as slightly above a walk-through. The team site put hip surgery on Saturday and pointed to season-ending IR. ESPN, with a source confirming the IR track, said Davis will miss the Giants opener.

Last season Davis gave Williams a true change-of-pace partner. DallasCowboys.com listed 252 rushing yards and two touchdowns; ESPN listed 250 yards on 52 carries and two scores, including 103 yards on Christmas against Washington. Those figures disagree by two yards; they agree that Davis mattered.

His preseason (68 yards on 12 carries and an 8-yard touchdown catch, per ESPN) had reaffirmed the backup role for an undrafted 2022 signee who had spent intervening years on the practice squad.

NBC 5 and the Associated Press wrote that surgery happened Friday night while citing DallasCowboys.com; the team site and ESPN place the procedure on Saturday. The practical effect for Williams is the same: fewer fresh legs in the rotation for a primetime road opener.

Who can share the carries

Demercado, claimed off waivers from the Chiefs, is the primary internal answer. ESPN's Cardinals ledger for him - 819 rush yards, three TDs on 126 carries; 50 catches, 324 yards, one TD - and his time overlapping Klayton Adams in Arizona give the staff a known quantity. Abanikanda can be elevated from the practice squad.

Luepke handles fullback and short-yardage. Blue (Eagles PS) and Mafah (unsigned) are not available.

Special teams also lose Davis's core-four kickoff and punt work, personal-protector role, and seven special-teams tackles from last year, ESPN noted - snaps that often keep a No. 2 back sharp between offensive series. Williams will not cover those; someone else must, while Demercado prepares for a larger offensive share.

Across the field at MetLife

Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers is questionable as he works back from an ACL tear. The Associated Press, via NBC 5, quoted Nabers saying, "At the end of the day, it's my career... It's my body.

I know when I'm able to play," with the coaching staff leaving the final call to him. That subplot sits opposite Dallas's backfield attrition; it does not replace the Cowboys' own depth problem.

Tyler Smith's left-thumb IR already costs Dallas its starting left guard for at least four games. Williams now carries a larger share of the early-down and clock-control burden without the backup the staff preferred. Next man up, as Jones put it, begins under the lights in New Jersey - with Williams first in line and Demercado the nearest help.

Sources

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/malik-davis-out-with-pretty-serious-injury

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49906649/cowboys-malik-davis-hip-injured-practice-opener

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/blue-star/cowboys-rb-malik-davis-is-out-for-the-season-with-a-hip-injury/4076044/