Israel Abanikanda is expected to become the Dallas Cowboys’ third running back after the team added him from its practice squad. Malik Davis, who held the No. 2 position behind Javonte Williams during training camp, will undergo surgery for a hip injury.
Davis had been competing with second-year back Jaydon Blue, whom Dallas waived at the end of the preseason. The Cowboys then claimed Emari Demercado from Kansas City, and he is set to back up Williams in the opener at the New York Giants. Fullback Hunter Luepke also remains on the roster.
A Dallas-New York projection put the game’s over-under at 48.5 points. Nick Harris selected Dallas to win and forecast a score below that mark, pointing to the Cowboys’ experience, the first week of the season and potentially unfavorable weather.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said linebacker DeMarvion Overshown will handle much of the communication-helmet work for defensive calls, while other players are ready if package changes require a different relay option.
Dallas is also weighing offensive-line possibilities, according to the source. D.J. Humphries became available after Washington released him.
Arizona drafted him 24th overall in 2015, and he became a full-time starter in 2016 before injuries affected his Cardinals tenure through 2023. Another report said Ryan Flournoy’s contract includes a $1.5 million base salary, a $500,000 roster bonus and $1.25 million in unamortized signing-bonus proration.
