Dallas Cowboys activate guard Tyler Smith from injured reserve, waive running back Emari Demercado
The Dallas Cowboys activated guard Tyler Smith from injured reserve and waived running back Emari Demercado on Oct. 8, according to team transactions posted by ESPN. The club designated Smith to return from injured reserve on Oct. 5 before moving him to the active roster this week. Smith’s activation returns a veteran presence to the interior offensive line as the team manages line depth.
Smith had been placed on reserve/injured-designated for return on Sept. 9, and his activation ends that stint on injured reserve. The team restructured Smith’s contract Feb. 28 as part of multiple roster moves noted in the transactions log. The move gives the Cowboys more options at guard as they address injuries and availability.
Emari Demercado, who was claimed off waivers from Kansas City on Aug. 31, was waived to create a roster spot. Demercado joined the team late in August and did not remain on the active roster long. His release reflects the ongoing roster churn teams manage during the regular season.
Other recent moves listed by ESPN included the Sept. 30 promotion of defensive tackle Elijah Garcia from the practice squad to the active roster and the placement of safety Jalen Thompson and defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard on injured reserve. The club also placed safety P.J. Locke on injured reserve on Sept. 26 and has elevated multiple players from the practice squad in recent weeks. Those elevations included cornerback Reddy Steward and linebackers Curtis Robinson and Justin Barron, reflecting the team’s use of practice-squad depth.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Tyler Smith’s activation restores a veteran presence on the interior offensive line and marks the end of a brief injured-reserve stint. Waiving Emari Demercado, who was claimed Aug. 31, is part of the routine roster adjustments teams make to manage depth. With multiple defensive players placed on injured reserve and several practice-squad elevations, the Cowboys are navigating availability while stabilizing the roster.