ARLINGTON — When it came to running back Malik Davis, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer didn’t let recent events affect his memory. Davis had the longest touchdown run the franchise has had in over three years on Thursday when he scored from 43 yards out in a win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Schottenheimer was proud of Davis and complimentary of the work he put in to get that opportunity. That pride was also bolstered by the fact that the Cowboys moved on from Davis this offseason, after he spent three years bouncing back and forth from the practice squad to the active roster.
“Literally, when we cut him in April, it was the right thing to do,” Schottenheimer said. “It really was. We were comfortable. Will [McClay] and I sat him down and we talked to him and we explained to him why.”
Schottenheimer didn’t get into the details of what Davis needed to improve on, but it’s evident that there has been improvement since the Cowboys cut him.
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Davis has had quite the rise for the Cowboys this season. The Cowboys re-signed him initially out of necessity. Rookie running back Jaydon Blue and veteran Miles Sanders both had injuries in training camp, forcing the Cowboys to add a running back from a depth perspective. The Cowboys then turned to Davis out of familiarity.
An unfamiliar moment happened, however, when Davis arrived in Oxnard for camp on Aug. 8. Schottenheimer said he knew from the moment he hugged Davis — a fellow Florida Gator — again that he noticed something was different.
“He realized this is a fleeting dream if you don’t attack it right every day,” Schottenheimer said of Davis. “He’s always worked hard. He’s always been a talented runner, but the maturity and the work ethic and just absolute desire that he shows to want to be a successful, very good NFL football player has been on display from the get-go.”
Davis then lived up to that change. He not only impressed in how he practiced and worked, but also in games during the preseason.
The Cowboys kept Davis on the practice squad after cutdown day. He not only added depth at running back, but also as the team’s backup personal protector — essentially the quarterback and signal caller on punt coverage. Davis was seen in the locker room at one point this season doing extra work with safety Juanyeh Thomas, the starter at personal protector.
Davis was initially elevated from the practice squad for that reason. Thomas missed multiple games and then was placed on injured reserve as he deals with migraines. That opened the door for Davis to be elevated and ultimately to be signed to the active roster.
Davis, as seen on Thursday, has also had success running the ball. He has 13 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown.
Thursday’s touchdown was the second of Davis’ career and the first in over 1,000 days. After scoring, Schottenheimer pointed out that Davis made the tackle on the ensuing kickoff.
“I couldn’t be happier for Malik,” Schottenheimer said. “I think his future is on the rise.”
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