Malik Davis Leads The Cowboys Backfield In Preseason Game
Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis led the Cowboys backfield in carries and yards in a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. Davis ran the ball eight times, gaining 18 yards, with a long of just four. The rest of the Cowboys backfield combined for just nine carries, so Davis had his chances in this one, but didn't do a ton with them. He was also targeted five times in the passing game, catching two passes for 20 yards. The second-year running back will be third at best on the depth chart, well behind Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, and likely behind Royce Freeman as well.
The Dallas Cowboys released running back Malik Davis on Tuesday as teams cut down to 53-man rosters. Davis came into the preseason as a contender for the No. 2 running back job behind Tony Pollard but has evidently been outplayed by Rico Dowdle and rookie Deuce Vaughn. The Cowboys want to bring Davis back as a member of its practice squad, but he's now firmly off the fantasy radar after a disappointing preseason showing. Dowdle could have sneaky upside as a handcuff running back in 2023.
Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis rushed 10 times for 42 yards during Saturday's preseason finale. He also caught three passes for an additional 15 yards through the air. The exact structure of the Cowboys' backfield isn't set in stone, but it's looking like Davis will open the season as the No. 3 running back behind Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle. He'll still need to perform well when given opportunities because rookie Deuce Vaughn is right on his tail.
Malik Willis To Play Entire Game Against Minnesota
With Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis (lower body) out for the team's second preseason game on Saturday night against the Minnesota Vikings, Malik Willis will play the entire game. Willis and Levis rotated in the preseason opener last week against the Chicago Bears, with Willis going 16-for-25 for 189 yards and an interception. He also added three carries for 22 yards and a touchdown with his legs and was sacked four times. The 24-year-old second-year signal-caller started over Levis last week, and all indications are that he's ahead of the rookie in the competition for the backup job to starter Ryan Tannehill. If Willis impresses on Saturday against the Vikes, he'll take a big lead over Levis in the backup competition.
Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Deuce Vaughn's impressive performance at training camp and so far in the preseason has put Malik Davis' roster spot in jeopardy this summer. The Athletic's Jon Machota doesn't envision Dallas keeping more than three RBs on the final roster with Tony Pollard, Vaughn and Rico Dowdle getting those spots. Dowdle has been the No. 2 on the depth chart through the first three weeks of camp, but he lost a costly fumble at the goal line in last Saturday's preseason opener. Davis is going to have to do more in the final two weeks of camp and the preseason to earn his way onto the regular-season roster. The 24-year-old had 38 carries for 161 yards and one touchdown in 12 games (zero starts) in his rookie campaign last year.
Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis played a significant role in a Week 17 win over the Tennessee Titans. With Tony Pollard (thigh) out and Ezekiel Elliott thoroughly ineffective, Davis picked up 10 carries and gained 39 yards total, including a long run of 23, the longest running play in the game. Pollard is expected to be back for Week 18, but if he misses another game, Davis could be a decent dart throw in deeper leagues and DFS formats.
With Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (knee) listed as doubtful for Week 8 against the Chicago Bears, the team elevated rookie running back Malik Davis to their active roster from the practice squad on Saturday. Tony Pollard will receive the lion's share of the backfield touches on Sunday against Chicago, but the Cowboys needed some depth behind Pollard with Elliott sitting out this weekend. The 23-year-old Davis went undrafted out of the University of Florida, and he only played on special teams earlier this year in two games that he was active. Davis should see some work behind Pollard in Week 8, but he won't have any standalone fantasy value.
Malik Davis
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Cowboys
