Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Earns five touches Sunday
Rotowire
Demercado notched four carries for 24 yards, hauled in his only target for no yards, had one kick return for 16 yards and recovered a fumble during Sunday's 24-14 defeat to the Commanders.
James Conner continues to dominate the Cardinals backfield, earning a 58 percent snap share and turning 19 touches, 18 of them rushes, into 113 yards from scrimmage and one TD on the ground. Behind Conner, Demercado logged more time on offense (24 percent) than rookie third-rounder Trey Benson (19 percent), but the latter had more touches (nine carries) for higher output (50 yards). The majority of Benson's work occurred with the game well out of hand in the waning minutes, though, so Demercado remains Arizona's No. 2 RB for the time being.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Sparse usage Sunday
Rotowire
Demercado tallied two carries for seven yards and wasn't targeted during Sunday's 20-13 defeat to the Lions.
Demercado now has exactly two touches in all three games this season, but his yards from scrimmage Sunday marked a season low. Subtracting his 41-yard run from Week 2, he's still averaging 4.0 YPC on his other three rushes and also has hauled in both of his targets for 26 yards. Meanwhile, rookie third-rounder Trey Benson is averaging a miserable 1.9 YPC on 16 carries to date. The pair doesn't stand a chance for more than a handful of touches weekly, though, as long as No. 1 RB James Conner (46 carries, five catches) is healthy.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Salvages day with long run
Rotowire
Demercado notched two carries for 46 yards during Sunday's 41-10 win versus the Rams.
Demercado's first touch didn't come until midway through the fourth quarter, but he did the most with it to the tune of a 41-yard rush. Otherwise, he seems to have ceded the No. 2 RB role to rookie Trey Benson, who had a 33 percent snap share to Demercado's 13 percent. James Conner gobbles up most of the snaps and touches in the Cardinals backfield, leaving Demercado to fight for scraps with Benson (12 touches for 18 total yards Week 2).
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Has pair of catches in Week 1
Rotowire
Demercado didn't have a carry and recorded two catches (on two targets) for 26 yards during Sunday's 34-28 defeat at Buffalo.
Most of Demercado's output in Week 1 occurred on a 24-yard catch and run in the first quarter, but both he (13 offensive snaps) and rookie third-rounder Trey Benson (four touches on four snaps) were well behind James Conner (19 touches on 41 snaps) in the backfield pecking order for the Cardinals. Such a breakdown of work can be expected to continue Sunday against the Rams and beyond, as long as Conner stays healthy.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Returns from injury Saturday
Rotowire
Demercado (shoulder) had 10 carries for 24 yards and caught his lone target for nine yards in Saturday's preseason loss to the Colts.
Demercado returned from a shoulder injury that held him out of last week's exhibition tilt. The sophomore tailback entered the game in the second quarter behind rookie Trey Benson (9-43-0), but it could have been the coaching staff easing Demercado off the shelf as opposed to a demotion from his projected No. 2 role behind James Conner. Next week's preseason finale should be telling based on how the backup RBs are deployed.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Nets 79 touches as rookie
Rotowire
Demercado tallied 284 yards and two touchdowns on 58 carries and hauled in 21 of 30 targets for 119 yards in 14 regular-season games in 2023.
The undrafted rookie had a moment in the spotlight from Weeks 5-8, a span in which he earned two starts in place of an injured James Conner and netted 228 yards from scrimmage and one TD on 52 touches. Otherwise, Conner dominated the Cardinals backfield, and midseason waiver-wire pickup Michael Carter even surpassed Demercado on the RB depth chart over the final six outings of the season. All of Conner, Carter and Demercado will be back in 2024, so Demercado again won't be higher than No. 2 or 3 at the position as the roster currently stands.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Manages one touch Sunday
Rotowire
Demercado hauled in one of three targets for nine yards but didn't record a carry during Sunday's 35-31 victory at Philadelphia.
In a Cardinals backfield paced by James Conner, Demercado appeared to be making some headway, with 14 touches for 120 yards from scrimmage and a rushing touchdown in the previous two contests. Instead, Michael Carter was the main backup to Conner on Sunday, producing 67 total yards and a receiving TD catch on eight touches. Neither Demercado (12 percent) nor Carter (17 percent) had big snap shares. After another huge Conner performance (133 yards from scrimmage, two TDs on 27 touches), Demercado and Carter are vying for scraps on a weekly basis ahead of Sunday's game against the Seahawks.
Demercado (neck) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Demercado left Arizona's last game Week 13 at Pittsburgh in the first quarter to be evaluated for a concussion in addition to a neck injury. He eventually was ruled out of the contest, but he cleared concussion protocol, leaving him to recover from the neck issue during the team's Week 14 bye. Following the respite, Demercado will look to increase his activity level as the week goes on in order to avoid a designation ahead of Sunday's matchup with the 49ers. Assuming he's able to return to action, Demercado and Michael Carter would be the candidates for backfield reps behind starter James Conner.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Exits Sunday's game
Rotowire
Demercado is being evaluated for a concussion and a neck injury during Sunday' game against the Steelers.
Priot to his exit from the contest, Demercado hadn't recorded a carry. In his absence, Michael Carter is on hand to provide the Cardinals with RB depth behind James Conner.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Sparse usage in return
Rotowire
Demercado tallied three carries for 15 yards during Sunday's 37-14 loss to the Rams.
The Cardinals' No. 1 running back James Conner had among his quietest games of the season in this one, turning a 42 percent (30 of 71) offensive snap share into 10 touches for 32 yards from scrimmage. Meanwhile, Michael Carter ranked second among the team's RBs with eight touches for 34 total yards on 38 percent (27) of plays, with Demercado bringing up the rear with three touches on 20 percent (14) of snaps. Perhaps Arizona was easing Demercado back into the mix after he missed the previous three games due to a toe injury, but he at the very least remains a very distant second or third at the position among the Cards' backfield options. His next chance for action arrives Sunday at Pittsburgh.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Returning to action Sunday
Rotowire
Demercado (toe) is active for Sunday's contest against the Rams, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
A toe injury has sidelined Demercado for the last three games, but after being listed as limited on five consecutive practice reports dating back to Week 11 prep, he's been deemed healthy enough to suit up for the first time since Week 8. This time around, he'll be playing behind workhorse James Conner, but Demercado showed enough before getting hurt to mix into the Cardinals backfield in some capacity. Overall, the undrafted rookie has averaged just under 4.0 yards on his 49 carries, gathered in 12 of 16 targets for 64 yards and scored one rushing touchdown in eight appearances.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Expected to face Rams
Rotowire
Demercado (toe) is expected to suit up for Sunday's game against Los Angeles, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Demercado is officially listed as questionable for Week 12, but he's expected to be available for Arizona. If so, he will stand to work as the top backup to veteran starter James Conner, while Keaontay Ingram and Michael Carter could also mix in. Official word on Demercado's status will come 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Questionable for Week 12
Rotowire
Demercado (toe) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams.
Demercado was limited in all three of Arizona's practices heading into the Week 12 clash between NFC West rivals. He has missed the last three games. If the rookie running back suits up Sunday, he'll likely work as the top backup to James Conner. Keaontay Ingram and Michael Carter are the other options in the Cardinals' backfield.
Demercado (toe) was listed as limited on Thursday's practice report, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Demercado so far has followed the same regimen as he did a week ago with limited listings Wednesday and Thursday. As a result, if he's anything other than DNP on Friday, there's a good chance he receives a questionable designation ahead of Sunday's contest against the Rams. Demercado is looking to put an end to what currently has been a three-game absence, but even when he returns he'll be no better than No. 2 in the Cardinals backfield behind starter James Conner.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Limited again Wednesday
Rotowire
Demercado (toe) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Demercado seemingly inched closer to a return to action last week with two limited practices, but ultimately he was ruled out for this past Sunday's game in Houston on the Cardinals' final injury report. He again is operating with a cap on his reps to kick off Week 12 prep, and he may need to upgrade to full activity Thursday or Friday to have a realistic shot at being available Sunday versus the Rams. Even if Demercado gains clearance to play, he's unlikely to be more than second fiddle to Arizona's lead runner, James Conner.
Demercado (toe) was limited at Thursday's practice, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
After managing no on-field work for two weeks and missing a pair of games as a result of a toe injury, Demercado has been able to put together back-to-back capped sessions to kick off Week 11 prep. Friday's practice report could be telling for his chances to return Sunday at Houston, but even if Demercado is cleared to play in that contest, he won't be much more than a change-of-pace option with the Cardinals' lead runner James Conner back in the mix.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Back at practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Demercado (toe) returned to practice Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Demercado hasn't practiced since Week 8, missing the last two games due to a toe injury. Prior to the absence, he was the main beneficiary of James Conner's stint on injured reserve, racking up 41 touches for 171 yards from scrimmage and no touchdowns from Weeks 6 through 8. With Conner making his return from IR in this past Sunday's win over the Falcons, Demercado likely won't be much more than a change-of-pace option, once he proves his health. Wednesday's practice report ultimately will reveal how much work Demercado was able to handle.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Ruled out again
Rotowire
Demercado (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Demercado hasn't practiced the past two weeks and now will miss a second straight game, while James Conner (knee) has a questionable designation after missing the minimum of four weeks on injured reserve. If Conner doesn't end up playing, the Cardinals likely will turn to Keaontay Ingram and practice-squad player Corey Clement, having waived RB Tony Jones on Thursday despite giving him 40 percent of snaps on offense just four days prior in a 27-0 loss to Cleveland. Even if Conner doesn't play this weekend, he stands a good chance to be ready before Demercado, which means the rookie figures to be in a backup role whenever he makes it back from the toe injury.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Sitting out another practice
Rotowire
Demercado (toe) isn't taking part in Thursday's practice, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.
Demercado has now missed both of the Cardinals' first two Week 9 practices while managing the toe injury, putting his status firmly in question for Sunday's game against the Browns. Head coach Jonathan Gannon hasn't commented about Demercado's potential availability for Sunday, but the fact that the Cardinals signed fellow running back Tony Jones off the practice squad Thursday only further fuels speculation that the undrafted rookie out of TCU is at risk of sitting out in Cleveland. If Demercado is sidelined this weekend, the Cardinals would be left with Keaontay Ingram and Tony Jones as their healthy options out of the backfield, though Corey Clement and Hassan Hall remain on the practice squad and would be candidates to be elevated ahead of Sunday's game.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Tending to toe issue
Rotowire
Demercado was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice due to a toe injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Demercado has been the main beneficiary of James Conner's (knee) stint on injured reserve, turning 41 touches into 171 yards from scrimmage and no touchdowns over the last three games. That said, Demercado yielded some of Arizona's backfield reps this past Sunday against the Ravens to Keaontay Ingram, who logged all 29 of his offensive snaps in the second half. The reason for the switch now has some clarity following Demercado's absence from the first practice of Week 9 prep. With Conner required to sit out at least one more game and Damien Williams (foot) landing on the practice squad injured list this week, Demercado's status will be one to monitor to see if he can put himself in a position to play Sunday at Cleveland. If Demercado isn't available, Ingram would be poised for an expanded role, while Corey Clement, Tony Jones and Hassan Hall would be candidates to be elevated from the practice squad.
