The Dallas Cowboys found a new running back on the NFL waiver wire to begin this week.
According to the NFL’s transaction wire, the Cowboys claimed Kansas City Chiefs running back Emari Demercado off waivers. Dallas will have to sign Demercado to its 53-man roster.
The 27-year-old didn’t make the Chiefs roster Sunday. All 32 NFL teams cut their rosters to 53 players by 6 pm ET on August 30. The Cowboys will have to release a player off their 53-man roster to squeeze Demercado onto theirs.
Dallas claimed Demercado off waivers after cutting running back Jaydon Blue Sunday. The Cowboys had just two running backs on their initial 53-man roster — Javonte Williams and Malik Davis.
While the running back spent the offseason and training camp with Kansas City, he’s played his entire regular season career with the Arizona Cardinals. He played 40 games for the Cardinals from 2023-25.
Standing at 5-foot-9 and 215 pounds, Demercado signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023. While pundits didn’t expect him to be selected, he received some praise during the draft process for his running ability and versatility.
“Demercado is a well-built runner who plays with good balance through contact. He has the ability to finish with forward lean,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote. “His vision and operation time are just average, which limits his ability to rip off chunk runs, but he does a nice job of getting what is there.
“His kick-return experience and third-down potential could give him a slight advantage if he goes head-to-head for the RB4 spot on a roster.”
Cowboys Claim Chiefs RB Emari Demercado Off Waivers
Demercado’s versatility was likely a draw for Dallas. But most importantly, Demercado will give the Cowboys the running back depth they desperate need to begin the 2026 regular season.
Williams will be the offense’s lead back. But the Cowboys had just one other running back on their active roster.
Demercado has never been a featured back, but he was a dependable backup throughout his Cardinals tenure. He dressed for at least 13 games in all three of his campaigns with Arizona.
Last season, he ran for 312 yards on just 44 attempts. Demercado also had 13 catches for 101 receiving yards.
Demercado might deserve a few more touches if the Cowboys can find a way to get him the ball. He’s averaged 6.5 yards per carry in his NFL career. Last season, he also set a new career-high with 413 yards from scrimmage.
In 13 contests last season, Demercado played 196 offensive snaps and 70 snaps on special teams. He returned three kickoffs in 2025 for 86 total yards. Demercado also registered five combined tackles.
Cowboys Add Depth for Javonte Williams
The Cowboys cutting Blue surprised a lot of analysts. But instead of retaining the second-year running back formerly deemed a draft sleeper, Dallas landed a running back with a lot more versatility.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer stressed that versatility while talking to reporters Monday.
“Emari is a guy that Klayton has some exposure to,” Schottenheimer said. “A good veteran that plays special teams, and there’s a lot of things that we like about him.
“We’re excited that we were awarded him in the claiming system, and as soon as I get done here, we’ll go have some more conversations.”
Cowboys Claim Stout Chiefs RB Off Waivers