A surprise game from an old friend who was just re-signed.
A little more than 24 hours ago, Malik Davis was sitting at home and waiting for another chance to prove himself in the NFL. As fate would have it, when his phone rang on Thursday evening, it was the very same Dallas Cowboys on the other line that signed him as an undrafted rookie in 2022.
And, less than one full day after arriving to practice in Oxnard, Davis was being sent onto the field in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the preseason opener — devouring his opportunities at every turn.
“It’s been great,” Davis said of his whirlwind weekend. “I was called and given an opportunity, and I went out there and made the best of the opportunity I got. … It goes to the trust they have in me and the trust I have in them. They trust in me to go out there and show that I can pick up the playbook on short notice and apply it, and I showed myself that I’m capable of doing that.”
In limited minutes and with only seven handoffs, Davis racked up 63 yards on nine yards per carry with a 16-yard run that added to his total impact, leaving SoFi Stadium as the team’s leading rusher on the evening; and by a large margin.
“It’s a great feeling when you’re able to go out there and put on a great performance for your teammates and coaches and, most of all, proving to myself that I belong here.”
Thoughts on the game.
Rams: The Rams don’t play their starters during the preseason, so the new faces to get extended looks on Saturday evening against the Cowboys were mostly their rookie class.
Two standouts for Los Angeles on defense were third-round linebacker Josaiah Stewart and fifth-round linebacker Chris Paul Jr. Stewart sacked Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III early in the second quarter. Paul wore the green dot, which means he was relaying the defensive playcalls.
The Rams’ top 2025 draft pick, second-round tight end Terrance Ferguson, did not play, as he is dealing with a groin injury. — Sarah Barshop
Next game: at Los Angeles Chargers (7 p.m. ET, Aug. 16)
Cowboys: After games like Saturday, it must be pointed out that quarterback Joe Milton III is in his second year. There will be growing pains even if the Cowboys are counting on him as Dak Prescott’s backup.
He was off target on his first three throws of the game and his first completion lost 1 yard. Accuracy was an issue. To open the second half, he was intercepted after he forced a deep ball into double coverage to Ryan Flournoy. Milton left early with what was called an elbow injury.
He finished 17-of-29 for 143 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. The coaches want him to make the easy play and not always trust his big arm. Habits can take time to break. — Todd Archer
Next game: vs. Baltimore Ravens (7 p.m. ET, Aug. 16)
More reaction to the first preseason game.
Winner: Phil Mafah, RB
With multiple running backs out against the Rams, Phil Mafah got the start and received plenty of playing time. The rookie out of Clemson rose to the occasion and was one of the few stars on offense.
He finished with 36 yards on 10 carries as well as 15 yards on two receptions. He was quick and decisive, and could have had even better numbers if he hadn’t had a big run negated by a penalty.
Winner: Malik Davis, RB
Just signed this weekend, Malik Davis made the most of his second chance with Dallas. He racked up 63 yards on just seven attempts and looked fantastic every time he touched the ball. He’s still too far down the depth chart to make the team, but might have given himself another crack at the practice squad.
Loser: Asim Richards, OT
With Tyler Guyton out, the Cowboys might need someone to fill in at left tackle. While Nate Thomas is the favorite to be the swing tackle, Asim Richards was in the mix. Unfortunately, he might have taken himself out of the conversation on Saturday.
Richards was called for back-to-back formation penalties on a second-quarter drive. The first was an incomplete pass, but the second penalty took a 14-yard run from Phil Mafah off the board. Not a great showing for the third-year pro.
The Cowboys run defense got torched… again.
The Rams defeated the Dallas Cowboys 31-21 in their preseason opener on Saturday at SoFi Stadium.
Here are some takeaways from the game:
With Kyren Williams carrying the ball 316 times last season, [Blake] Corum got only limited opportunity as a rookie.
The former Michigan star could help shoulder more of the load if the Rams want to keep Williams — their newly minted $23-million investment — fresh for the long haul.
While it was something of a surprise when coach Sean McVay said Corum would play in the preseason opener, Corum responded by rushing for 32 yards and two touchdowns in nine carries.
Rookie Jarquez Hunter rushed for 41 yards in 11 carries, including an 11-yard gain on a third-and-five play in the third quarter.
Cody Schrader rushed for 59 yards in five carries, including one for a 25-yard gain, and caught a touchdown pass.