Sunday Night · Week 1
Demercado is the eligible next option; an Abanikanda elevation could split work.
Why this pick · the matrix
Evidence: low. Stash priority: 56/100. Scores are rankings, not probabilities.
| Season | Games* | Carries | Rush yds | Targets | Rec | Rec yds | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | No stats available before this game week | ||||||
| 2025 | 12 | 44 | 312 | 20 | 13 | 101 | 1 |
*Games with a recorded stat line; not an attendance or injury measure. Stats exclude this game week. Source: nflverse
| Season | Games* | Carries | Rush yds | Targets | Rec | Rec yds | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | No stats available before this game week | ||||||
| 2025 | 16 | 252 | 1201 | 51 | 35 | 137 | 13 |
*Games with a recorded stat line; not an attendance or injury measure. Stats exclude this game week. Source: nflverse
- Malik Davis out with 'pretty serious' injury
- Emari Demercado returns 'home' to Dallas, has reason to be excited with Cowboys
Dallas reported Sept. 11 that RB2 Malik Davis needs hip surgery and will go to season-ending IR. The same report says Dallas will likely turn to Demercado and possibly practice-squad back Israel Abanikanda. Dallas' Sept. 1 transaction feature says Demercado joined the active 53 and sat directly behind Davis. That makes Demercado the best eligible lead-replacement candidate after Davis is corrected out, though a committee remains likely.
Backfield news: Davis' season-ending hip injury changes the room. Demercado is already on the active 53 and Dallas identifies him as the likely next option, with a possible Abanikanda elevation creating committee risk.
Scouting: Waiver claim who reunites with OC Klayton Adams from Arizona and knows the scheme. Reliable in protection and on third down, but a complementary piece — not the answer for 15+ carries if Williams missed time.
Starter injury history: 2024: full season in Denver coming back from the 2022 multi-ligament knee injury. 2025 (DAL): played 16 games, 1,201 rush yds and 11 TD on 252 carries, then finished the year on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Expected fully healthy for 2026; did not play in the preseason.
Also considered: Hunter Luepke (34)
Next up behind Cam Skattebo; depth chart RB2.
Why this pick · the matrix
Evidence: low. Stash priority: 67/100. Scores are rankings, not probabilities.
| Season | Games* | Carries | Rush yds | Targets | Rec | Rec yds | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | No stats available before this game week | ||||||
| 2025 | 3 | 15 | 61 | 3 | 3 | 25 | 0 |
*Games with a recorded stat line; not an attendance or injury measure. Stats exclude this game week. Source: nflverse
| Season | Games* | Carries | Rush yds | Targets | Rec | Rec yds | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | No stats available before this game week | ||||||
| 2025 | 8 | 101 | 410 | 32 | 24 | 207 | 7 |
*Games with a recorded stat line; not an attendance or injury measure. Stats exclude this game week. Source: nflverse
Najee Harris is listed RB2 on the New York Giants depth chart behind Cam Skattebo. Deterministic pick; the model overview was unavailable.
Backfield news: No current injury notes available; availability is not independently confirmed.
Scouting: Proven high-volume NFL starter coming off a torn Achilles, listed as a co-No. 2 with Tracy and Singletary. If he shows he is all the way back he is the one back here with a track record of 250+ carry seasons — the likeliest true lead back if Skattebo went down.
Starter injury history: 2025 (rookie): led all rookies in scrimmage yards and TD through Week 8, then suffered a right ankle dislocation with an open tibia fracture and ruptured deltoid ligament at Philadelphia in late October; season-ending surgery that night. He considered walking away from football before committing to a comeback. 2026: cleared and set to return for Week 1, with no reported setbacks in camp.
Also considered: Tyrone Tracy Jr. (61), Devin Singletary (40)
Analyst write-up pending; deterministic pick shown.