There’s more roster churn in Oxnard, just a day before the Cowboys’ preseason opener. This time, it’s a key piece of offensive line depth getting shelved before ever taking a snap, and the subsequent return of a former backup plan at running back.
The team has placed veteran guard Rob Jones on season-ending injured reserve following a neck injury he suffered on July 28, in the Cowboys’ first padded practice of training camp. He had been considered a starting-caliber option for the Cowboys in a rebuilt offense under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer and new OL coach Conor Riley.
At the time of his injury, the broken bone was expected to cost the 26-year-old and former Dolphins starter two to three months, Jones just signed a $3.75 million one-year deal with Dallas in March.
At the same time, the Cowboys have brought back running back Malik Davis. The onetime UDFA out of Florida appeared in 13 games for the team over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, totaling 161 yards and a touchdown on 38 NFL carries, primarily as a backup to Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.
Davis had signed a reserve/futures contract back in January but was waived by the Cowboys in late April, just after the team selected Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah in the 2025 draft.
Davis is with the team in Oxnard on Friday and could potentially suit up to play against the Rams on Saturday night.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: O-Lineman who Cowboys signed to start now lost for ’25, replaced with RB reunion
Reporting by Todd Brock, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
