Cowboys bring back recently-waived RB on practice squad

The Dallas Cowboys are bringing back one of their backfield weapons from the practice squad.

The NFC East squad announced via an update on X (formerly Twitter) that they re-signed running back Emari Demercado.

“The Dallas Cowboys signed RB Emari Demercado on Tuesday. The club also signed G Nick Leverett to the practice squad and released CB Alex Austin from the practice squad,” Dallas’ post read.

The former TCU Horned Frogs star running back first connected with Dallas in August after the Cowboys claimed Demercado off waivers. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs in March before getting cut by the AFC West team.

The 27-year-old Demercado has some experience in the NFL, having played three seasons for the Arizona Cardinals from 2023 to 2025, during which he racked up 819 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 126 carries and adding 324 receiving yards and a score on 50 receptions and 70 targets across 40 games (including two starts).

Demercado has also already appeared in two games in 2026 for the Cowboys. He had a couple of carries for secen yards in Week 1’s loss to the New York Giants and had eight rushing yards on three carries in a win over the Washington Commanders the following week.

At the moment, Demercado is viewed as a mere running back insurance for the Cowboys, who are coming off a 24-16 loss in Week 5 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Javonte Williams is leading the team’s rushing attack, while Tyler Goodson serves as the chief backup at the running back position. Williams paces Dallas with 276 rushing yards with six touchdowns on 74 carries through five weeks of football.