The Cowboys have added running back Israel Abanikanda after Malik Davis sustained a hip injury that will require surgery. Abanikanda is expected to become the team’s third running back.
Davis had held the No. 2 spot behind Javonte Williams through training camp while competing with Jaydon Blue, a second-year player from Texas. Dallas waived Blue at the end of the preseason and claimed Emari Demercado from Kansas City. Demercado is set to back up Williams in Sunday’s season opener against the New York Giants. Fullback Hunter Luepke is also on the roster.
Dallas also has a defensive communication plan for the opener. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said fourth-year linebacker DeMarvion Overshown will handle much of the responsibility for relaying defensive calls through the communication helmet, although other players could take on the duty in certain packages. “Overshown’s going to be doing it quite a bit,” Schottenheimer said during a radio appearance on 105.3 The Fan.
Predictions for the Cowboys-Giants game listed an over-under of 48.5 points. Nick Harris picked Dallas and the under, citing the Cowboys’ experience and the possibility that weather could affect Sunday night’s game.
A separate discussion focused on wide receiver Ryan Flournoy’s contract and the team’s future options involving George Pickens, who is playing under the franchise tag. Flournoy’s 2027 terms include a $1.5 million base salary, a $500,000 roster bonus and $1.25 million in remaining signing-bonus allocation.
The analysis said Dallas could save about $2 million against the salary cap by trading him before the roster bonus is paid, while also suggesting that continued progress could increase his value to the team.
