Fantasy Football News

It was easy to dismiss a slow Week 1 for Cowboys RB Javonte Williams. He managed just 3.4 yards per carry and 6.2 yards per catch, but the whole Dallas offense struggled in losing to the Giants. And Williams delivered TDs rushing and receiving to keep his fantasy managers happy. But he followed that with just a 12-30 rushing line and 3 catches for 20 yards in a lopsided win over the Commanders. Williams is now averaging just 3.0 yards per carry and 6.4 per catch for the season. That's 1.2 below his career rushing average but 0.7 higher on the yards per reception.

The Cowboys signed RB Tyler Goodson from Atlanta's practice squad and released RB Israel Abanikanda. Abanikanda was a healthy scratch for the opener, leaving RB Emari Demercardo behind workhorse Javonte Williams. We'll see if Goodson gets any run going forward, but Demercardo still looks like the top (albeit relatively shaky) handcuff to Williams.

Javonte Williams led all Cowboys with 24.4 PPR points after scoring both a rushing and receiving TD in Sunday night’s loss to the Giants. Williams handled 12 carries for 41 yards while adding 5 receptions on as many targets for 31 yards as a receiver out of the backfield.

The Cowboys placed RB Malik Davis (hip) on IR and elevated RB Israel Abanikanda from the practice squad. It's still unclear if Davis has a chance to return this season, but he can be dropped from all redraft rosters. Abanikanda joins RBs Javonte Williams and Emari Demercado on the active roster. FB Hunter Luepke could also handle some carries and targets out of the backfield. There's no clear-cut handcuff to Williams at this point. We'll get our first look as Dallas' backfield when they play the Giants on Sunday night.

Cowboys RB Malik Davis had to be carted off the practice field on Friday with a hip injury, according to The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Nick Harris. We'll look for more details on his status, but Davis figures to at least miss Sunday night's game vs. the Giants, and potentially much longer. He was slated to serve as the Cowboys' No. 2 RB and handcuff to Javonte Williams. Davis' absence leaves RB Emari Demercado behind Williams. RB Israel Abanikanda is on the practice squad.

Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer called RB Javonte Williams a "bellcow" on Monday. "The other guys are certainly gonna play, but Javonte’s one of those guys that, the stronger he gets is based off how many carries he gets," Schottenheimer added.

The Cowboys claimed former Chiefs RB Emari Demercado off waivers. He will join the team after they released both second-year RBs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. He joins an RB room with only Javonte Williams and Malik Davis. Demercado could stick as the No. 3 RB on the team.

Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah seemed to be fighting for the Cowboys' No. 2 RB job this summer. But with RB Javonte Williams getting the second preseason game off, RB Malik Davis drew the start. The Athletic's Jon Machota now predicts Davis will open the season as the No. 2 RB before Blue takes over later in the season.

Javonte Williams is ripping off big runs in training camp after last year's career season in Dallas, according to Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas News. Hoyt later added, “Don’t think the Cowboys need to see too much of him in this preseason.”

Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue generated plenty of buzz from coaches and beat writers this spring. He's kept that momentum rolling into camp, making big plays in the run and pass games while mixing in with the first-team offense.

Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer said he sees a "night and day" difference from RB Jaydon Blue between now and his rookie year. Blue was often a healthy scratch last season, carrying just 38 times across five appearances. There were multiple reports of work ethic and maturity issues throughout the year.

The Cowboys have agreed to a three-year deal with RB Javonte Williams. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it'll pay out $24 million in total, with $16 million of that guaranteed. That contract total ties D'Andre Swift for 13th at the position in total money, according to Spotrac. The average annual value ($8 million) ties for 16th, also with Swift. Williams' first season in Dallas found him ranking 10th in the league in total carries (ninth in carries per game), ninth in rushing yards, eighth in rushing TDs, and 10th in PPR points per game.

The Cowboys begin the offseason with WR George Pickens and RB Javonte Williams as prominent impending free agents. It seems pretty clear -- and makes sense -- that Dallas would like to retain Pickens. The plan for Williams looks less clear, however.

Cowboys RBs Javonte Williams (shoulder) and Malik Davis (calf, eye) are out for Sunday’s game vs. the Giants. That leaves RBs Hunter Luepke and Jaydon Blue on the active roster, with RBs Phil Mafah and Israel Abanikanda candidates to be elevated. We’ll see what moves Dallas makes leading up to kickoff and look for clues on the backfield plans. There’s fantasy upside to mine here with the matchup against the Giants’ 31st-ranked RB defense.

Cowboys RBs Javonte Williams (shoulder) and Malik Davis (calf, eye) missed Wednesday's practice. Williams never returned to last week's win over the Commanders, while Davis finished out the game as lead back. We'll see how both guys progress over the next couple days. Their absences vs. the Giants on Sunday would leave Dallas' backfield to some combination of Hunter Luepke, Phil Mafah, and Jaydon Blue.