Malik Davis is back for his fifth training camp with the Dallas Cowboys, coming off the best season of his career. But while the running back gave us a feel-good story in 2025, that momentum doesn’t seem to be carrying into Oxnard so far. As things stand, Davis may once again leave camp without a roster spot.
Switching to Tony Pollard’s old #20 this offseason hasn’t brought Davis any closer to the backup job. Thus far, Jaydon Blue has been given clear RB2 treatment behind Javonte Williams. And while
Davis may be the third-man up, we’re hearing good things about prospects Phil Mafah and Israel Abanikanda as reports come from Oxnard.
Davis has been down this road before. In fact, four times before. While Davis always looks solid with the ball in his hands, it’s never been enough to outshine some of the other RBs in camp. In his early years, Davis kept losing out to Rico Dowdle because he couldn’t match Dowdle’s abilities as a blocker and special teamer. Unfortunately for him, Davis’ blocking woes have already been on display this summer.
Turning 28 this November, Davis is obviously not a developmental guy anymore. He has to be clearly better than these younger prospects, probably winning the RB2 job outright if he wants to make the roster. But with Blue off to a hot start in camp and guys like Abanikanda and Mafah also showing well, it’s hard to imagine Davis faring any better in this camp than he has in the ones before it.
It’s going to sting for fans who rightfully developed a soft spot for Davis after last year’s heroics. Finding his way back on the roster after Miles Sanders’ injury and Blue’s delayed development, Davis had a big play in Dallas’ Thanksgiving victory over Kansas City, then led the rushing attack in the Christmas win over Washington. In front of huge national audiences, Davis shined and did a lot to raise his profile, at least with Cowboys fans.
Still, for the last four years, the Cowboys have consistently decided not to put Malik Davis on the 53 unless injuries forced their hand. As long as the RB room doesn’t have a sudden run of bad medical luck, we seem to be trending in that direction again in 2026. It’s going to sting for some, but we can find comfort in the probability that Davis’ fall means younger guys with broader skills are moving up the ladder, and hopefully improving Dallas’ overall depth at running back.
