The Dallas Cowboys are moving quickly to rebuild their running back depth after losing Malik Davis for the season.
Dallas is expected to sign Tyler Goodson from the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad to the active 53-man roster, according to the Cowboys’ official site and multiple reports. The move comes after Davis suffered a season-ending hip injury, leaving the Cowboys searching for another back behind starter Javonte Williams.
Goodson does not arrive as an automatic No. 2, but his addition gives Dallas another experienced option in a backfield that has already changed several times since final roster cuts.
Why Dallas moved for Tyler Goodson now
The timing of the move is straightforward. Davis was supposed to be part of the rotation behind Williams before the hip injury ended his season. Dallas already responded by promoting Israel Abanikanda and adding Emari Demercado, but neither move closed the competition for backup snaps.
Goodson gives the Cowboys another player with NFL experience and a skill set that fits the role Davis was expected to fill. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and spent time with Green Bay before playing three seasons with Indianapolis. He appeared in 33 games for the Colts from 2023 through 2025.
Atlanta added Goodson during the offseason, and he made a strong case for a roster spot in the preseason. He rushed 18 times for 92 yards and a touchdown and added four receptions for 40 yards. He also contributed on multiple special-teams units.
That combination matters for a player trying to earn game-day snaps as a reserve. The Cowboys do not simply need someone who can carry the ball five times. They need a player who can dress on Sundays, help in multiple phases and protect the offense if Williams has to leave a game.
Javonte Williams is still the lead back
Nothing about the Goodson move changes Dallas’ top option.
Williams entered the season as the Cowboys’ primary back, and Week 1 did little to suggest the team is looking to reduce that role. Dallas’ larger issue is what happens when Williams comes off the field.
FSN’s Week 1 Cowboys-Giants recap showed an offense that could move the ball but struggled to sustain enough answers in a 28-20 loss. The running back room was already operating without Davis, and the backup roles behind Williams remain unsettled.
Demercado has familiarity with offensive coordinator Klayton Adams from their time together in Arizona and offers value in pass protection. Abanikanda gives Dallas another athletic option. Goodson now enters that competition with a stronger recent preseason showing than either player had with the Cowboys.
Goodson’s special-teams value could matter immediately
The most realistic path to early playing time may not begin with rushing attempts.
Goodson played on kickoff return, kickoff coverage, punt return and punt coverage units during the preseason with Atlanta. Davis had handled work across those same areas for Dallas.
That makes the transaction more than a simple depth-chart replacement. If Goodson can absorb some of Davis’ special-teams responsibilities, the Cowboys can keep their offensive personnel decisions separate from the need to cover kicking-game snaps.
Reserve running backs often earn their place on the active roster by doing exactly that. The player who can contribute in coverage, handle a few offensive touches and step into a larger role in an emergency usually has more game-day value than a one-dimensional runner.
The Cowboys’ backfield has changed quickly
Dallas did not enter September expecting this many moving parts at running back.
After final cuts, the Cowboys claimed Demercado off waivers. Davis then suffered the hip injury that required season-ending surgery. Abanikanda moved onto the active roster, and now Goodson is expected to be signed directly from Atlanta’s practice squad.
That is a lot of roster movement before Week 2.
The bigger picture is not necessarily a sign of panic. It is a sign that Dallas wants enough options to avoid being caught thin behind Williams. The Cowboys’ team page will be worth monitoring because another corresponding roster move will be required to make room for Goodson on the 53-man roster.
Goodson has a real chance to compete for RB2 snaps
The most interesting part of the signing is that Goodson is not just emergency insurance.
His preseason production in Atlanta showed burst and versatility, including a 49-yard touchdown run. He also has regular-season experience and a stronger receiving background than some typical depth backs.
That does not guarantee he passes Demercado or Abanikanda immediately. Dallas will have to evaluate how quickly he learns protections, terminology and the details of the offense.
But the Cowboys were willing to use an active-roster spot to take him from another team’s practice squad. That suggests they see more than a temporary body for practice.
What the move means heading into Week 2
The Cowboys do not need Goodson to transform the offense. They need the backfield to become stable enough that Williams can be used aggressively without the coaching staff worrying about every snap behind him.
Goodson gives Dallas another option to solve that problem.
For a team trying to respond quickly after a disappointing Week 1 loss, the transaction is a practical roster move with a chance to become more important than it initially appears. If Goodson can contribute on special teams and earn offensive trust, he could move from newly signed insurance to a legitimate part of the rotation.