Cowboys waive Emari Demercado

Goodson will backfill the roster spot lost to placing Malik Davis on IR at the end of last week. It’s unclear whether Emari Demercado or Goodson would be the head of a committee if Javonte Williams were injured, as both of them showed up with the Cowboys after last cuts. Neither player is a must-roster as things stand.

It is unclear whether this is a season-ending injury or if Davis has a chance to return later in the year. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported earlier that the Cowboys were “bracing for an extended absence” and that a source told him, “it’s bad.” It sounds like Davis’ 2026 season may be over. Cowboys RB Emari Demercado now sits behind starting RB Javonte Williams, and RB Israel Abanikanda is on the practice squad.

Regarding Davis’ injury, Fowler’s source said simply, “it’s bad.” The Cowboys’ No. 2 running back is undergoing further testing, but we expect them to place him on injured reserve before long. The Cowboys waived RB Jaydon Blue and RB Phil Mafah last month. Blue has since signed with the Eagles’ practice squad. The Cowboys have RB Emari Demercado on the active roster behind RB Javonte Williams. Currently, only RB Israel Abanikanda is on the practice squad in Dallas.

Hill was quickly ruled out for Week 1. Dallas cut Phil Mafah and Jaydon Blue at the end of camp, briefly leaving Davis as the only backup running back on their roster. They eventually signed Emari Demercado after he was released by Kansas City. If the injury is serious, the Cowboys could bring either Mafah or Blue back, given their familiarity with the system. The Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins reported shortly afterward that Davis has suffered a hip injury, though no further details were given.

Demercado enters a wide open backfield depth chart behind starter Javonte Williams and primary backup Malik Davis, the two of whom were the only running backs to survive 53-man roster cuts Sunday. It does not appear the Cowboys are finished adding to their backfield, with most teams keeping four running backs on the active roster throughout the season. More to come.

Demercado’s departure leaves rookie RB Emmett Johnson and second-year RB Brashard Smith to back up starting RB Kenneth Walker. The Chiefs also waived DE Vincent Anthony, LB Kam Arnold, WR Andrew Armstrong, WR Wesley Bissainthe, DT Cole Brevard, WR Jason Brownlee, WR Jacob De Jesus, OT Ethan Driskell, WR Omari Evans, OT Chukwuebuka Godrick, LB Cam Jones, WR Xavier Loyd, S Tanner McCalister, DT Amari McNeill, C Pete Nygra, RB Jaydn Ott, DT Damon Payne, CB D’Arco Perkins-McAllister, TE Mason Pline, S DeShon Singleton, CB Melvin Smith, EDGE Tyreke Smith, OG Josh Thompson, CB Zelmar Vedder, TE Tre Watson and WR Jeff Weimer. The Chiefs released LB Cole Christiansen, CB Kaiir Elam, CB Kader Kohou and EDGE Emmanuel Ogbah. The Chiefs placed DT Omarr Norman-Lott (knee) on the reserve/physically unable to play list and WR Jimmy Holiday on injured reserve. The Chiefs also waived OG C.J. Hanson, QB Chris Oladokun and RB EJ Smith with injury designations.

Goodson made an impact as part of the Falcons’ running back room in the preseason but ultimately Brian Robinson Jr. will keep the backup job. Also waived/released by the Falcons were CB Darnay Holmes, DT Eric Johnson II, TE Nick Muse, OLB Azeez Ojulari, DE Cam Sample, LB Channing Tindall, DT Marlon Tuipulotu, OL Brandon Walton, DL Chris Williams, LB Josh Woods, DT Carlos Allen, WR Vinny Anthony, OL James Brockermeyer, CB Cobee Bryant, RB Nate Carter, OL Kam Dewberry, WR Dylan Drummond, RB Cash Jones, OL Riley Mahlman, WR Keelan Marion, DT Devonnsha Maxwell, OT Wanya Morris, LB Daveren Rayner, OL Jaeden Roberts, TE Joshua Simon, DB Keidron Smith, OL Andrew Stueber, LB Bralen Trice, TE Jack Velling, WR Antwane Wells Jr., and CB A.J. Woods.

Johnson added two catches for 15 yards and had another chunk gain through the air called back because of a penalty. Kenneth Walker didn’t play in this contest, allowing Johnson to draw the start with some of KC’s first-team offense on the field. Johnson split reps with Emari Demercado over the team’s first three drives, then left the game for good. He looks like the team’s No. 2 back, though all three backs have been the next man up behind Walker at some point during the preseason. Johnson isn’t guaranteed the backup job, but he’s now the favorite, putting him in the mix as a late-round flyer in deeper fantasy leagues.

Breer refers to RB Kenneth Walker as an “every-down” player, says RB Brashard Smith “has already shown he can be a weapon in space,” and notes RB Emari Demercado adds depth. Perhaps taking on a change-of-pace rushing role is in play for Johnson this season. The rookie back has pass-catching experience as well, but Smith and Demercado could offer more in that department at the moment. Johnson could be the next player up if Walker were to miss time.

Goldman added that the team is “very high” on Demercado before noting his spot as the No. 2 back in every drill of note during OTAs. The Chiefs signed Demercado to a one-year deal this offseason to back up Kenneth Walker. They also added Emmet Johnson in the fifth round of the draft, but it sounds like the veteran has the inside track to backup duties right now. Demercado could also operate as the team’s primary back on passing downs, giving him some extra juice in PPR formats.