Davis is among the Falcons' key players yet to see preseason action, Jeff Schultz of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It remains to be seen if the likes of Davis, QB Matt Ryan, TE Kyle Pitts and WR Calvin Ridley will see any action in next Sunday's preseason finale against the Browns, but Schultz suggests that they may take the field for a drive or two in that contest. Either way, Davis remains firmly atop the Falcons' running back depth chart as things stand, with Cordarrelle Patterson, Qadree Ollison, D'Onta Foreman, Caleb Huntley and Javian Hawkins in the backup/complementary mix.

Davis enter training camp as the projected starter at running back, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

Entering camp atop the depth chart is a first for Davis, though he does have 22 NFL starts to his name, including 12 last year for the Panthers. The 28-year-old now finds himself in Atlanta on a two-year, $5.5 million contract, joining a backfield where the other options are Qadree Ollison, Cordarrelle Patterson, Tony Brooks-James and a pair of undrafted rookies (Javian Hawkins, Caleb Huntley). New head coach Arthur Smith isn't likely to recreate his powerful rushing attack from Tennessee, but he should at least be more committed to his running game than the previous regime in Atlanta. It's a nice opportunity for Davis, though some form of committee is more likely than a three-down role.

Davis is signing a two-year, $5.5 million contract with the Falcons, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Davis gets $3 million guaranteed, cashing in on his stint as the Panthers' starting RB while Christian McCaffrey dealt with various injuries in 2020. Davis failed to maintain his early momentum in the role, but he at least proved himself competent as a runner, receiver and blocker. He could be in the mix for a starting job in Atlanta, where Ito Smith, Qadree Ollison and Tony Brooks-James are the other tailbacks on the offseason roster. Of course, the Falcons still have time to add more free agents, not to mention the 2021 NFL Draft at the end of April. There hasn't been any report of Davis having issues with the ankle that prevented him from playing Week 17 last season.

Davis (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's contest versus the Saints, Bill Voth of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

As is Christian McCaffrey (thigh), leaving Carolina's backfield to Rodney Smith, Trenton Cannon, Alex Armah and perhaps even Curtis Samuel. Davis got far more work than expected this season due to McCaffrey's constant injury woes, which led to career highs in carries (165), catches (59), yards from scrimmage (1,015) and touchdowns (eight) in 15 games. He's an unrestricted free agent in the offense, but considering how well he fared in relief of McCaffrey, the Panthers may seek to bring back the six-year vet as an insurance policy.

Davis (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Saints, but the Panthers have no expectation of him playing, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach Matt Rhule called Davis "gutsy" for playing through a significant ankle injury in Carolina's Week 16 win over Washington. The veteran running back was never expected to play in the season finale and hasn't practiced at all this week, leaving Rodney Smith, Trenton Cannon and Curtis Samuel as the team's likely ball carriers for Week 17. It'll be the only game Davis has missed all season after he unexpectedly started in 12 of his 15 appearances while Christian McCaffrey (thigh) dealt with multiple injuries. Davis finishes 2020 with career highs in every major counting category, but he wasn't able to maintain his early burst of production, ultimately averaging only 3.9 yards per carry and 6.3 per catch. He'll turn 28 in February and can become an unrestricted free agent in March.

Davis (ankle) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Bill Voth of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach Matt Rhule admitted Wednesday that the running back was unlikely to play in the regular-season finale versus the Saints this weekend, so Davis' absence from practice for the second day in a row comes as no surprise. With Christian McCaffrey (thigh) also ruled out for Week 17, Carolina will likely turn to third-stringer Rodney Smith as its No. 1 back against New Orleans. Receiver Curtis Samuel -- who carried a season-high seven times in the Week 16 win over Washington -- could also take on a more pronounced role out of the backfield.

Head coach Matt Rhule said Wednesday that he doesn't expect Davis (ankle) to play Week 17 versus the Saints, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rhule said Davis was "gutsy" to play through a severe ankle sprain in the Panthers' Week 16 win over Washington. With little at stake for the Panthers in the regular-season finale, Davis is expected to be sidelined along with Christian McCaffrey (thigh), who didn't practice Wednesday. With Rodney Smith and Trenton Cannon left as the team's healthy running backs, wideout Curtis Samuel could push for a repeat of the career-high seven carries he handled last week.

Davis was sporting a red no-contact jersey at practice Wednesday, Bill Voth of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Christian McCaffrey (thigh) also didn't take contact in the session, signaling that he's unlikely to make it back for Sunday's season finale against the Saints. The Panthers have yet to reveal if Davis is in any danger of missing the contest, nor has the team indicated what injury the running back might be dealing with. Next up on the depth chart behind McCaffrey and Davis are Rodney Smith and Trenton Cannon.

Davis rushed the ball 14 times for 28 yards and a touchdown in Week 16 against Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Davis was in for a tough matchup against the stout Washington run defense and failed to get going. However, he managed to reach the end zone for a one-yard touchdown rush midway through the second quarter -- his eighth total score of the season. Davis also reached another milestone by eclipsing 1,000 total yards, the first time he's reached the mark as a professional. It's likely that Davis will get a workhorse role one more time in Week 17 against the Saints.

Davis is expected to draw his sixth straight start Sunday against Washington with Christian McCaffrey (thigh) listed as doubtful for the contest and not in line to play, Bill Voth of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Davis' efficiency has tailed off as the season has gone along, but he should still be in store for a solid amount of snaps and touches with McCaffrey set to miss yet another contest. Over the last four weeks, Davis has received double-digit carries in every game while also averaging four targets per contest.