Cowboys claim RB Emari Demercado off waivers from Chiefs after roster reshuffle

The Dallas Cowboys moved to add depth at running back on Monday, claiming Emari Demercado off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs. The transaction comes after the Cowboys made Sunday cuts that reshaped their backfield options heading into the final stretch of roster decisions.

According to Yahoo Sports, the Cowboys’ waiver claim means Demercado is now in Dallas’ running-back mix as a backup behind Javonte Williams. With Williams already positioned as the lead back on the current depth chart, Demercado’s arrival is designed to widen Dallas’ usable rotation and provide insurance for workload, game-planning, and in-season availability.

The Cowboys’ move followed cuts made on Sunday, when Dallas released Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. Yahoo Sports reported that those departures left Malik Davis as the only remaining running back behind Williams at the time, underscoring how quickly Dallas was forced to address depth.

That context matters because NFL rosters often depend on having multiple backs ready to contribute in different packages. When teams thin out at one position, the margin for error tightens, especially once practices turn more sharply toward preseason or opener preparation. Adding a back through waivers is a common way to solve a short-term roster gap without committing to a more permanent move.

Demercado’s landing spot also reflects how teams manage opportunity and evaluation. A waiver claim typically indicates a team believes the player can provide a specific skill set or is a viable fit for play-calling needs, even if the player is not expected to immediately challenge the incumbent starter. For Dallas, the hope would be to turn an added body into reliable practice reps and dependable game-day depth.

Still, the exact role Demercado will play in Dallas is not guaranteed to look the same as it did elsewhere. A backup running back can be used differently based on offensive personnel groupings, the coaching staff’s approach to tempo and blocking assignments, and who else is available for the run-pass balance the team wants to establish.

For the Cowboys, the more immediate question is how quickly Demercado can win trust in the system after a late addition, particularly in pass protection and run fits that can determine whether a backup sees the field. The answers may come in practice availability and preseason usage patterns, as Dallas tries to solidify its depth behind Williams.

For now, Dallas’ backfield remains anchored by Javonte Williams, with Demercado expected to join the group and Malik Davis positioned as the remaining depth option noted by Yahoo Sports. The Cowboys will likely continue adjusting the rest of the roster as they narrow toward their final regular-season configuration, but this waiver claim is a clear step toward restoring balance at running back.