Cowboys lose backup RB Malik Davis to 'serious injury'

The Dallas Cowboys will open their season Sunday night without the running back who emerged from training camp as their No. 2 option.

Malik Davis left practice early after suffering what the team called "a serious injury." Dallas placed him on injured reserve, sidelining the running back for at least the opening stretch of the season.

Why it matters: ESPN reported that Davis suffered a hip injury during Friday's practice and is scheduled to undergo surgery Saturday.

• Davis had worked his way into a meaningful role behind starter Javonte Williams after entering training camp.

What they're saying: Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones described the injury Friday on 105.3 The Fan as "pretty serious" and said it could keep Davis out for an extended period.

"Very disappointing. Malik's done everything the right way. He's such a good person off the field, he works his ass off, he's come from nowhere to be our No. 2 back, and he's done it the hard way," Jones said. "Now unfortunately, I think he's looking at a pretty serious injury. So disappointed for Malik. Obviously tough for our team, but like anything it's next man up."

The big picture: The injury leaves Dallas with considerably less depth behind Williams heading into Week 1.

It's another late-week setback for a Cowboys offense already dealing with an injury to Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith, who underwent thumb surgery earlier this week and will miss at least four games.

What's next: Williams is now positioned to handle the bulk of the workload when Dallas opens its season against the Giants on Sunday night, while the Cowboys will have to determine how much they can lean on Demercado and whether another running back needs to be elevated or added.

For a team that entered Week 1 expecting to use Davis as part of its running back rotation, the question is no longer who won the backup job.

It's how Dallas replaces him.