The Dallas Cowboys re-signed running back Emari Demercado to the 53-man roster on Tuesday and brought back guard Nick Leverett on the practice squad, the team announced. To make room on the practice squad, Dallas released cornerback Alex Austin.
Both players were back days after Dallas let them go. Demercado was waived on October 8 to clear a roster spot for All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith, who came off injured reserve and returned for the Thursday night loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Leverett was released on Monday.
Demercado back in the backfield
The Cowboys claimed Demercado off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs on August 31. Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams coached Arizona’s offensive line during Demercado’s first two NFL seasons, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer pointed to his special-teams versatility when the club claimed him. He played in two games for Dallas before his release, carrying five times for 15 yards.
Demercado went undrafted out of TCU in 2023 and spent three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. In Arizona he ran for 819 yards on 126 carries, 6.5 yards per attempt, with three touchdowns, and caught 50 passes for 324 yards and another score. He also returned six kickoffs for 150 yards. Last season he averaged 7.1 yards per carry, including a 71-yard run.
He rejoins a backfield led by Javonte Williams, who scored his sixth rushing touchdown of the season against Tampa Bay.
Leverett returns as line depth
Leverett was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster on September 9, when Smith went on injured reserve with a thumb injury. He can play center and guard. Because he is a vested veteran, he did not have to go through waivers after his release, which let Dallas re-sign him to the practice squad a day later.
Austin joined the practice squad on September 30 with cornerback Tyrek Funderburk and safety Juanyeh Thomas, when injuries hit all three levels of the Dallas defense.
What’s next
The moves came during the 2-3 Cowboys’ mini-bye. Dallas has added Mike Pettine as a senior defensive assistant, and Schottenheimer has promised rotation changes for Sunday night’s game at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers.
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