Cowboys Make Decision On Fourth-Year Running Back
The Dallas Cowboys‘ biggest news on Tuesday came when the reports surfaced that they would be trading a second round pick in 2026, along with a first rounder in 2027, for New York Jets defensive tackle, Quinnen Williams – whilst also sending former first round defensive tackle, Mazi Smith, to New Jersey.
But in the hours following the big move, the team announced another roster transaction – that the organization has decided to release fourth year running back, Malik Davis from the practice squad, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Cowboys waived RB Malik Davis.
“Cowboys waived RB Malik Davis.” Schefter reported on Tuesday.
Cowboys RB Waived From Practice Squad Once Again
Davis was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by Dallas in 2022, and was first elevated to the active roster that October, which lead him to putting up a total of 161 rushing yards with one touchdown in his debut season, participating in 12 out of the team’s 15 games.
The former University of Florida product was not able to capitalize on a promising rookie season, during which he averaged a very respectable 4.2 yards per carry, and spent the year on the practice squad. Although he took part in three games in 2023, he did not record a single rush, target or reception on the season.
Whilst 2024 saw a similar fate for Davis, as he did not play in a single game last season, 2025 was looking to be a little improvement for the Tampa native, having been a game-day elevation from the practice squad three times already this year and carried the ball 3 times for 6 total rushing yards.
Yet, the Cowboys decided that they had seen enough from their fourth year player, and waived him for the sixth time in the 26 year old’s career to date.
Given that Davis has only ever played for the Cowboys, suggesting that the team have a special affinity for the the player that likely transcends his on-the-field output and production, it is quite possible that the team will look to re-sign the tailback at some point early in 2026.
Why Did The Cowboys Release Malik Davis?
One reason that may have contributed to the team moving off Davis looks to have been elevation-related.
The NFL permits franchises to elevate players a maximum of three times in any given season; having been already elevated three times halfway into the year, the Cowboys were not allowed to use Davis as a game-day practice-squad elevation again – they would had to have signed him to the active roster mid-season – something they have not done since his rookie year.
Interestingly, this would not necessarily be the most out-of-left-field move, considering that the Cowboys have just Javonte Williams and Jaydon Blue signed to the 53-man roster, after injuries saw both Miles Sanders and Phil Mafah land on injured reserve.
This lack of RBs on the active roster has also – evidently – likely contributed to the increase in game-day elevations for Davis. But it seems that the Cowboys do not feel bullish enough on him to make him a full member of the 53.
The most likely course of action at this point would point to Dallas signing a running back to their practice squad that they can utilize as the emergency third back behind Blue and Williams.
Steelers Make Final Call on Acquiring WR at NFL Trade Deadline
Despite reports as late as Tuesday that the Pittsburgh Steelers were aggressively pursuing trade possibilities, the team didn’t make another move.
The Steelers allowed the 2025 NFL trade deadline to pass without acquiring another player on the market. The league’s trade deadline was 4 pm ET on Tuesday.
The Steelers staying with what they have on the roster was surprising. It particular, there seemed to be a strong indication for weeks that the team would add a receiver.
If the Steelers are going to add a wideout now, it will have to be on waivers or in the free agent market.
Mike Tomlin’s club didn’t completely allow the trade deadline to pass without making an addition. Pittsburgh acquired $58 million safety Kyle Dugger from the New England Patriots on October 28.
But even after adding Dugger, pundits continued to suggest the Steelers would be major players in the trade market Tuesday.
Steelers Don’t Acquire WR at NFL Trade Deadline
Pundits have linked Pittsburgh to receivers in the trade market for more than a year. The Steelers acquired D.K. Metcalf in March but then traded George Pickens during May, which again began receiver trade speculation in Pittsburgh.
That speculation continued just about through Tuesday’s deadline. Bleacher Report’s James Palmer reported during a live stream hours before the deadline that the Steelers were shopping the market.
“I’ve been hearing Pittsburgh is definitely out there being aggressive,” Palmer said. “They are looking at different players.”
Apparently, though, the Steelers weren’t aggressive enough to execute a trade. Meanwhile, two veteran receivers moved to new teams before Tuesday’s deadline.
Pittsburgh’s Wide Receiver Depth After Missing on Jakobi Meyers, Rashid Shahid
Throughout the past several weeks, two of the more popular rumored receiver trade targets for Pittsburgh were Jakobi Meyers and Rashid Shahid.
The Steelers acquired neither but not because they weren’t available. The Las Vegas Raiders traded Meyers to the Jacksonville Jaguars while the New Orleans Saints shipped Shahid to the Seattle Seahawks.
Jacksonville landed Meyers for 2026 fourth and sixth-round picks. The Seahawks agreed to send New Orleans 2026 fourth and fifth-rounders for Shahid.
Steelers Nation is likely to be disappointed that the team didn’t acquire a receiver upgrade for Day 3 selections. But both Meyers and Shahid are pending unrestricted free agents.
Two Day 3 picks, including a fourth-rounder, may have been too high a price for general manager Omar Khan to pay for rental receivers.
It’s also not as though the Steelers didn’t just make a wideout addition. On Tuesday, the team signed veteran receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the practice squad.
However, Tomlin seemed to minimize that addition Tuesday, which only fueled speculation that the Steelers planned to add another receiver through a trade.
“He’s just a practice squadder right now, so we’ll get him in the fold,” Tomlin told reporters. “Get him working, check his overall level of conditioning, how he learns and some of those things.
“It is not the Dugger discussion. He’s just a practice squad guy.”
The Steelers acquired Dugger from the Patriots out of necessity because of all the injuries the team currently has at safety. Dugger played 77 defensive snaps in his Steelers debut despite not having a full week of practice with the team.
Put another way, Tomlin clearly doesn’t see Valdes-Scantling contributing immediately.
Opposite Metcalf, fourth-year receiver Calvin Austin III will likely continue to start the rest of the season for the Steelers. The team also has wideouts Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Ke’Shawn Williams and Scotty Miller on its active roster.
