Things were just going too well for the Dallas Cowboys this preseason, and everyone was too healthy. So, of course, Malik Davis suffered a serious injury just days before the season opener against the New York Giants, which was both devastating and left the Cowboys in a bind at running back.
Javonte Williams will still be the star of the show, and Emari Demercado looks like the clear No. 2 now, but behind them, it's a mystery. For Sunday's primetime game against the New York Giants, Dallaswill elevate practice squad player Izzy Abanikanda to the active roster after a solid preseason.
But the Cowboys could stand to add another back, whether they immediately go on the 53 and Abanikanda reverts back, or they are purely for depth on the practice squad. So, here are three running backs that Dallas could bring on board (Hint: one of them is Phil Mafah).
3 RBs the Dallas Cowboys can sign after Malik Davis injury
Phil Mafah
Wow, what a surprise!
Mafah, of course, is the obvious choice to be signed to the Cowboys' practice squad, as he just spent the offseason and the better part of two years with the organization. He didn't perform all too well this preseason, but he understands the playbook and the expectations down in Dallas.
Now, the hurdle to this may be that Mafah doesn't want to come back after being discarded at roster cutdowns. He did workout with the Green Bay Packers recently, so he may have a chance elsewhere. But he currently doesn't, so the practice squad is better than nothing. This may be mutually benficial.
Antonio Gibson
Fans should be familiar with Gibson after his four-year run with the Washington Commanders, and he spent last season with the AFC Champion New England Patriots, albeit in a campaign very shortened by injuries. But he is a proven back with receiving and rushing skills, so he may be worth an add.
Plus, he is a good pass protector and can return kicks (he even returned one for a touchdown in 2025), so he would increase the lethality of the Cowboys' return game as well. If things get tricky, Dallas can count on a player like Gibson with experience to produce, even if he's nothing special.
Dare Ogunbowale
This one may be a bit far-fetched, as Ogunbowale is currently on the Las Vegas Raiders' practice squad. But with Ashton Jeanty back healthy and rookie Roman Hemby also in Las Vegas, the Raiders don't need Ogunbowale. And Brian Schottenheimer knows him from his one year with the Jaguars.
Like Gibson, Ogunbowale has years of experience under his belt, and he can contribute as a runner, receiver, pass-blocker or special-teamer. The Cowboys would have to sign Ogunbowale to their active roster, but if Abanikanda can be snuck back to the practice squad, this may be worth a shot.
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