Ray

Davis

It was a standard workload/snap share for Davis, with the difference this time around being he turned a Josh Allen dump-off into a 67-yard receiving score. Davis took advantage of some hellaciously bad Dolphins tackling in the process, but that’s what good players do. Davis later received a goal-line carry but couldn’t convert. Davis is oozing with contingency value, but he still isn’t really creating standalone value of his own as much as he’s hurting James Cook’s.

Davis saw all of the Bills’ carries on their final three drives. They were salting away a 21-point lead and gave him five attempts which he turned into 24 yards. Davis was not targeted in this game and only had one carry to James Cooks’ 17 before the final eight minutes. With Buffalo committing to Cook until the game was out of hand, Davis will tumble into the RB5 ranks for Week 9.

Davis managed to out-rush James Cook, though a returning Cook remained comfortably ahead in the carries and snaps department. Davis’s score was deep into garbage time, where the Bills were admittedly seeming like they wanted to run up the score. It would be inaccurate to say Davis’s overall production was a product of garbage time, however, as he was highly involved in the third quarter. Davis isn’t quite to a “1B” role, but his backup involvement seems to be growing ahead of Week 8 vs. the Seahawks’ horrendous run defense.

Davis’ calf question marks come just as he seemed ready to carve out a bigger role behind a returning James Cook. Now he’s a highly volatile FLEX option, though the Bills do project for plenty of run-game volume against the quarterback-switching Titans. Inactive for the Bills are OL Will Clapp, DT Zion Logue, LB Joe Andreessen, LB Edefuan Ulofoshio and S Mike Edwards.

Davis injured his calf in Thursday’s practice, logging two Limited Participant designations to close the practice week. He is truly questionable to play against the Titans and fantasy managers should make backup plans, at least in the short term. Davis’ excellent Week 6 showing likely earned him a fantasy-viable part-time role when healthy but he is unlikely to contribute much this week.

Things were trending in this direction after Cook logged a limited practice on Wednesday only to be upgraded to full on Thursday. While Cook is expected to play and will likely resume his normal workload, rookie Ray Davis is expected to be limited in Friday’s practice and could carry a questionable tag heading into the weekend.

Mid-week injury report additions are never a good sign, as Davis likely suffered the injury in practice. The promising rookie totaled 23 touches in his Week 6 showing against the Jets, penning a strong case for more backfield involvement even upon James Cook’s (toe) return. Davis’s Friday practice involvement will shed more light on his Week 7 availability but fantasy managers should temper expectations for now.

Cook was expected to play through the toe injury last week despite being listed as questionable. He was surprisingly listed as inactive ahead of kickoff, though the Bills did call up a running back from their practice squad over the weekend, foreshadowing Cook’s eventual absence. A limited session on Wednesday is a good start to the week, though his status remains up in the air. If he can’t suit up, Ray Davis, who turned 23 touches into 152 yards last week, will draw his second start.

Buffalo’s practice report will be worth monitoring this week, as Cook missed all three days of practice ahead of a questionable tag and then was not able to play. Ray Davis is a worthwhile waiver claim for Cook-focused managers if he’s available. If Cook does play, it will be interesting to see if Davis is able to make real inroads towards making it a committee after his breakout game on Monday night.

The only thing Davis failed to do was find the end zone, turning a spot start in the absence of James Cook into a true workhorse outing. The diminutive running back surged to 4.9 yards per carry and caught a 42-yard pass on a Josh Allen scramble drill in the first half, proving to be capable as the featured back for as long as Cook remains out. Up next for Davis and the Bills is a home date with the Titans in Week 7.