The Dallas Cowboys lost a key piece of their depth chart this week. They waived running back Emari Demercado earlier in the week, hoping to stash him on the practice squad. That plan hit a wall when the Houston Texans claimed him off waivers. Demercado is now on Houston’s 53-man roster instead of staying in Dallas. This move leaves the Cowboys with fewer options at running back heading into their next game.
Per A to Z Sports, the Cowboys likely wanted to clear a spot for players returning from injured reserve. The team opened those windows to let the defenders get back on the field. Dallas needed room on the active roster to bring them back if they are ready. Waiving Demercado was the cost of that space, but the Texans saw the value in him first.
Why the Texans Took a Chance
Demercado has bounced around the league for a few years. He was undrafted out of TCU in 2023 and played his first three seasons with Arizona. He joined the Cowboys just before the regular season started. Across the initial two games, he recorded 15 yards on five carries while playing only 14 total snaps. He was inactive for Weeks 3 and 4 before getting waived ahead of the game against Tampa Bay. The team signed him back the next week, but he sat on the bench for the last two outings.
Yahoo Sports notes that Demercado will miss a rematch against his old team this weekend. The Arizona Cardinals visit AT&T Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 1. Since he is now in Houston, he cannot play against the team he started with. This is a tough break for a player who was trying to earn a spot. The Cowboys thought they could get him back, but the waiver system works fast. The Texans moved quickly to add depth to their own backfield.
A Thin Running Back Room
The loss of Demercado leaves the Cowboys with a very thin group at running back. Davis is already on season-ending injured reserve, so he is out for the year. That leaves Abanikanda as the only other body available if Williams or Goodson get hurt. It is a risky spot to be in for a team with big goals.
Blogging The Boys reported that the rookie class had a quieter night in the win over Philadelphia. The veterans supplied the biggest moments in that 38-21 victory. While the defense looked solid, the offense relied on established names. If the running backs get worn down, the team needs more depth to handle the load. The Cowboys might look outside the building for help in the next week. They have to shuffle the roster again to make sure they are ready for the Cardinals.
Dallas beat the Eagles on Monday night to move to 3-4 on the season.
