During Monday’s session at the podium with members of the media, Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady took a moment to reflect on running back Ray Davis, and his lack of opportunities in the team’s current offense. Against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3, Davis was in for five plays (8%) on offense, while also seeing time on special teams with five plays (22%) there on Sunday.
Davis earned zero touches on those five offensive plays. Meanwhile running back Ty Johnson, just returning to action following
a surgical procedure to repair a hamstring injury, saw 15 snaps (23%) on offense, and one snap (4%) on special teams. Johnson didn’t rush the football, but he caught all four targets his way for 50 yards.
Evidenced above, Davis, the 2025 NFL All-Pro kick returner who returned 31 kicks for 943 yards and one touchdown, has a new featured role with Buffalo. Last season while taking over the kick-return reigns, Davis still carried the ball on offense 58 times for 275 yards, also catching 10 passes (13 targets) for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
Running back James Cook III, last season’s NFL rushing yards champion, is the undisputed lead back for the Bills. However, Cook doesn’t take every snap at the position. Despite that fact, Davis has managed to earn just one carry (for 3 yards) through three games this season. It’s surprising when you consider that third-down specialist Ty Johnson missed Weeks 1 and 2.
Are the Bills simply limiting Davis’ touches to keep him fresh for special teams? Perhaps not, as Brady mentioned that “right now, I gotta get Ray playing more, right? Brady went on to say of the situation that ”it’s a reality. He’s too good of a player,” and that ”Ray’s worked his ass off and deserves that” opportunity.
By no means should Cook see less snaps given how productive he is even considering any ball-security concerns. With Cook on the field, the team is always one play away from a sprint going the distance for six. Davis, too, brings a unique ability to the team as someone who’s sneaky fast and tough as nails taking contact. During his rookie season in 2024, Davis totaled 113 carries for 442 yards and three touchdowns, also hauling in 17 receptions (19 targets) for 189 yards and three additional touchdowns.
Be it as it may that Davis has a new role with the team, there’s plenty of room to get him involved meaningfully on offense. He’s a proven dual-threat player who’s succeeded at every stop and each level of football. In Davis’ three-year career to this point with the Bills, he’s averaged a first down on one out of every four rushing attempts (42 first downs, 172 rushes, per Pro Football Reference). As a receiver with the Bills, Davis has earned 15 first downs on 27 receptions (32 targets).
The Bills may be wise to find reason to get Davis snaps in a complementary role to Cook, apart from third-down situations. It could come as soon as Week 4, if there are lingering concerns about the amount and types of contact quarterback Josh Allen continues absorbing as a runner.
