Cowboys Waive Emari Demercado: Tyler Goodson Takes Firm Hold of RB2 Role

2 days ago

3 min read

Factual cutoff: October 27, 2026 at 10:14 PM Central.

Fantasy scoring note: Recommendations assume half PPR scoring unless otherwise stated.

The Dallas Cowboys waived running back Emari Demercado on Tuesday, trimming a player who had fallen behind Javonte Williams and Tyler Goodson in the backfield. The move gives fantasy managers a clearer two-man depth chart and opens one spot on Dallas’ 53-man roster before Sunday’s home game against the Arizona Cardinals.

NFL’s official transaction log lists Demercado and tight end D.J. Rogers among Dallas’ Oct. 27 waivers. No corresponding addition had been announced as of this article’s factual cutoff.

Why Dallas waived Emari Demercado again

This is Demercado’s second trip through waivers this month. Dallas first waived him Oct. 8, then brought him back to the active roster Oct. 13. The 27-year-old appeared in two games for the Cowboys and carried five times for 15 yards without a target.

That limited usage told the story. Demercado was a healthy scratch in each of Dallas’ past two games, while Goodson handled the reserve role behind Williams. Dallas’ unofficial depth chart still listed Williams first, Goodson second and Demercado third before Tuesday’s transaction.

Demercado has useful NFL experience—131 carries for 834 yards and three rushing touchdowns across 42 career games, plus 50 catches for 324 yards and a receiving score—but he did not have a weekly role in this offense.

Fantasy football impact: Goodson is the clear handcuff

The waiver does not change Williams’ starting value. He remains Dallas’ lead runner and should continue to control the most valuable early-down and scoring-position work. Managers should treat him as the same weekly fantasy starter he was before the transaction.

Goodson is the player who gains clarity. He is now the direct backup on the active roster, which makes him the logical contingency option if Williams misses time. That is more useful in deeper leagues and formats with large benches than in ordinary 10- or 12-team leagues, because Goodson still needs an injury or an unexpected role change to become a dependable starter.

The strongest counterpoint is that Dallas could add another running back or bring Demercado back if he clears waivers. That possibility limits Goodson’s long-range ceiling, but it does not change the immediate order entering Week 8.

What the open roster spot could mean

The move is also notable because Dallas entered the week with linebacker Marist Liufau and safety P.J. Locke working toward returns from injured reserve. The Cowboys had opened practice windows for both players, according to NBC Sports, but neither was activated with Tuesday’s waivers.

An open 53-man spot gives Dallas flexibility to activate one of those defenders or make a different addition. Fantasy managers should not assume which move is coming until the club announces it, but Cowboys D/ST managers should monitor the transaction wire before setting Week 8 lineups.

Week 8 outlook vs. Arizona

Arizona visits Dallas on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. ET on FOX. The backfield transaction does not create a new starter for that matchup: Williams remains the Dallas running back to use, while Goodson is a bench stash rather than a stand-alone flex play.

Recommended fantasy actions: keep Williams in lineups, add Goodson only if you need a direct handcuff or play in a deep league, and move Demercado to the waiver wire in redraft formats. Dynasty managers can hold Demercado in deeper leagues while waiting to see whether another team claims him.

What happens next

Demercado can be claimed by another club or clear waivers and become eligible to sign again. His receiving background and prior work in Arizona could appeal to a team seeking veteran depth, but there is no confirmed destination yet.

For Dallas, the next official move matters more than the release itself. An activation for Liufau or Locke would strengthen the defensive rotation, while another offensive addition could reshape the depth chart again. Until then, Williams and Goodson are the only Cowboys running backs who warrant fantasy attention.