Gators running back Malik Davis must be eased into role in 2019

His return has been greatly anticipated, but don't expect the redshirt sophomore to be Florida's bell-cow running back.

Two years. Two season-ending lower-body injuries. 

Florida Gators running back Malik Davis has the odds stacked against him. He's simply not been able to stay on the field during his career in orange and blue.

However, his talent is simply too special to forget about. Davis' abilities were recognized immediately in his true freshman season of 2017, when he rushed for  526 yards on a mere 79 carries - averaging a whopping 6.7 yards per carry - and two touchdowns in seven games. 

Then the knee injury occurred.

After a successful rehab, Davis found the field early in 2018. But all it took was 13 carries (and three receptions) for 94 total yards for gloom to hit yet again: Davis broke his foot against Colorado State, and was once again ruled out for the year.

Looking back at it, Davis was rushed back from his knee injury in 2017. While the injuries occurred in separate areas, lower-body injuries take a significant toll on running backs in comparison to other positions, due to heavy usage and constant pressure from a mix of body movement and contact from the opposition. 

With that in mind, Davis should be eased back into a role in 2019.

The running back room is more than solid, with senior Lamical Perine on the Doak Walker Award watch list and sophomore Dameon Pierce looking to follow up on an impressive freshman campaign.

Last season, Perine, now-Carolina Panthers RB Jordan Scarlett, and Pierce split carries at a rate of 35.4%, 34.6%, and 18.2%, respectively - the remaining 11.8% was split by the rest of the team's skill players. 

Naturally, Perine should see a boost as the leader of the room, and expect Pierce to as well as he fits the physical style of running that Scarlett provided.

Given the 1-2 punch that Perine and Pierce will provide, all too similar to the Perine-Scarlett tandem last year, there's little need to push Davis onto the field full time too quickly.

Davis is best suited to enter the season as the third-down back - a legitimate change-of-pace due to his track-speed and agility. He's flashed receiving skills in the past, which can be utilized on third downs as a check-down option for quarterback Feleipe Franks.

This is not to say Davis' role shouldn't be expanded as he gets more in-tune, but it's best to be cautious considering his injury history. He possesses the ability to break free on the outside that Perine and Pierce are certainly capable of, but not quite as polished at. 

That skill is unique in the RB room and will be utilized so long as Davis is healthy. Florida needs to do everything in their power to prevent another injury for the redshirt sophomore, and limiting his role to third-down back early on will help.