Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado should be in line for a significant workload increase in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans, with Cardinals running backs James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee) both on Injured Reserve. However, Demercado still figures to split playing time with Arizona backs Michael Carter and Bam Knight. On the plus side, all three Cardinals running backs have a favorable matchup against a Tennessee run defense that has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards in the NFL so far in 2025. Demercado has recorded 751 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 125 total touches across 31 career games with Arizona. In Week 5, he profiles as a high-end RB3/flex option for fantasy managers.
Oct 4, 2025 12:28 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado served as the team's RB2 in Week 4 behind Trey Benson (knee). However, with Benson now on Injured Reserve due to a knee injury, it does not appear that Demercado is a lock to assume Arizona's RB1 role. Demercado has appeared in 31 games for the Cardinals since the start of 2023, but he has not recorded more than four carries in a game since October of his first season with the team. That could indicate that Arizona feels comfortable with Demercado as the team's passing-downs back, but that veteran back Michael Carter could assume the bulk of the early-down work. Heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Demercado profiles as a decent flex option for fantasy managers, but Carter should be the preferred play.
Oct 3, 2025 10:51 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado will "be what he's always been, a third-down back," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Cardinals have plenty of available playing time in their backfield after losing James Conner (ankle) for the season and Trey Benson (knee) for four to six weeks due to a meniscus injury. However, Schefter reports that it could be Cardinals running back Michael Carter, not Demercado, who sees the most backfield touches. Demercado has recorded 21 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on six total touches so far in 2025. The 26-year-old has appeared in 31 career games for the Cardinals but has not logged more than four carries in a game since October 2023. Heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Demercado looks like a low-end flex option in deep leagues at best.
Oct 2, 2025 4:23 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado is set to handle feature-back duties following the loss of Trey Benson (knee) and James Conner (Achilles). While his 2025 numbers are modest so far--just four carries for eight yards and two receptions for 13 yards--Demercado flashed last season with 223 yards on only 24 attempts, showing the ability to pick up chunk plays when given steady work. With Arizona's backfield depth depleted, the "next man up" approach leaves Demercado as the clear option to shoulder the load, and Kyler Murray's mobility should create additional running lanes to aid his efficiency. Fantasy managers should consider Demercado a must-add in all formats, as he projects for both volume and opportunity in an offense desperate for balance.
Oct 1, 2025 2:29 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado has recorded 21 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on just six total touches so far in 2025. However, there's a chance he's the team's featured back in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans with James Conner (ankle) out for the season and Trey Benson (knee) possibly facing a short-term absence. If Benson misses Week 5, the Cardinals would likely split touches to some degree between Demercado and running back Michael Carter. Demercado started the season as the team's RB3 while Carter was only added to the active roster once Conner went down. Still, Demercado has not logged more than four carries in a game since Week 8 of the 2023 season. Demercado should be added in all deep fantasy leagues and could be a low-end flex option in Week 5 if Benson is sidelined.
Oct 1, 2025 12:03 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado had four touches for 21 yards and a touchdown in the Cardinals' Thursday night loss to the Seahawks. His score came by a seven-yard reception to tie the score at 20 with 28 seconds to go before eventually falling to the Seattle Seahawks 23-20. Demarcado had two rush attempts and two receptions, and Trey Benson operated as the team's primary running back on Thursday with James Conner (foot) out for the season. Demercado mostly found himself in the game on third downs and in the two-minute offense. With the Cardinals down by a few scores in the fourth quarter, he played a decent amount late in the game, which ultimately led to a touchdown. Demercado is expected to remain involved, but not to the extent that it can provide standalone PPR value. Fantasy managers will want to look elsewhere for production, as Demarcado's looking like a handcuff to Benson, at best.
Sep 26, 2025 9:44 AM EST
Things have changed in a major way for the Arizona Cardinals' backfield, but backup running back Emari Demercado should be viewed as a major streaming risk with his team playing the Seattle Seahawks on short rest. Arizona lost starting running back James Conner (ankle) for the season, which will likely thrust Trey Benson into a feature back role and give Demercado some touches, too. The third-year pro drew two rushing attempts and a target after Conner departed last week, which is nowhere near enough to be fantasy relevant. It's possible Demercado develops into a Justice-Hill-like role as a pass catcher this season, but managers should exercise caution until we've seen how the Cardinals move forward without Conner.
Sep 25, 2025 9:26 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado received the most carries out of a crowded backfield on Saturday, but couldn't turn it into much. As the Cardinals beat the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday, Demercado posted 22 yards on seven carries and caught two of his three targets for eight yards. Bam Knight led the way with 83 yards and a touchdown on five carries, while Michael Carter posted 47 yards on five carries. Demercado's preseason left a lot to be desired, but the 26-year-old seems to still have the trust of the team as the third-string back for the time being.
Aug 24, 2025 8:26 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado had a solid game in the preseason opener, but couldn't get much going in their second game on Saturday. He registered just 15 yards on six carries and didn't catch his lone target of the day. At this rate, the Cardinals are trying to decide who will slot into the third and fourth running back spots, which comes down to Demercado, DeeJay Dallas, and Michael Carter. Despite the uninspiring game, Demercado seems to be in the lead, but he'll need to fine-tune some things in their final preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Aug 17, 2025 10:37 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado finished as the high man in receiving yards during the 20-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. The third-year back saw three carries for seven yards, but did most of his damage through the air as he collected two receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown on two targets. Towards the end of the second quarter, Demercado caught a screen pass from Jacoby Brissett and raced 43 yards for a touchdown while making a couple of defenders miss. With James Conner and Trey Benson firmly in the rotation, Demercado is making his case to remain in the third-string role.
Aug 10, 2025 10:21 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (back) has been placed on the injured reserve. Demercado has 24 rushes for 223 yards and a rushing touchdown this season and has added 16 catches for 104 receiving yards. Demercado's absence will likely open the door for more involvement for backup running back Trey Benson behind starter James Conner. Benson has some sneaky speculative pickup value with Demercado out and Conner himself being pretty injury-prone.
Dec 14, 2024 4:43 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (back) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's meeting with the New England Patriots. The second-year rusher will miss his first game of the season this weekend after picking up a back injury in Week 14's loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Demercado played only seven snaps last Sunday, hauling in all four of his receptions for 15 yards. Though, he did not record a carry. His inactive designation isn't a surprise, considering he was listed as a non-participant for each of the Cards' practices leading up to the weekend. With the 25-year-old shelved, backfield mates James Conner and Trey Benson should each garner a few extra touches and snaps this weekend against the visiting Pats.
Dec 13, 2024 9:34 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (shoulder), who was listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 13 contest in Minnesota against the Vikings on Sunday, is officially active. Demercado was limited in practice all week but will be active on Sunday as they Cardinals look to bounce back in a hostile environment after dropping a big game to the division-rival Seattle Seahawks last week. The 25-year-old shouldn't be in any starting fantasy lineups in Minnesota as the RB3 in Arizona behind James Conner and rookie Trey Benson. Demercado has had more than two touches in only four of his 11 appearances in 2024. The former TCU product will only be worth a waiver-wire pickup if one of Conner or Benson gets hurt and misses time. Demercado has only 21 carries for 211 yards and one TD in his second year in the NFL.
Dec 1, 2024 11:42 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (back) and defensive lineman Darius Robinson (calf) were both limited participants in a second consecutive practice on Thursday. Demercado has primarily been off the fantasy radar as Arizona's No. 3 running back this year, but he has shown bursts of production, totaling 211 rushing yards, 86 receiving yards, and one touchdown so far. DeeJay Dallas would presumably take Demercado's spot on the depth chart if he can't play. Robinson, on the other hand, is a rookie who has spent the first 12 weeks on either injured reserve or the gameday inactives list. He's inching closer to making his NFL debut and, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon, has a strong chance to suit up Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.
Nov 28, 2024 3:31 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (back) was a limited participant during practice on Wednesday. The 25-year-old has mostly operated as the Cardinals' No. 3 running back this season, but he's still been efficient and productive, totaling 211 rushing yards, 86 receiving yards, and one touchdown through 11 games so far. He's not a dependable redraft option as long as both James Conner and Trey Benson are healthy.
Nov 28, 2024 12:40 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (shoulder) was removed from the injury report and doesn't carry a designation heading into Sunday's divisional clash with the Seahawks. The 25-year-old has been battling a shoulder injury, resulting in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday. However, he was a full-go on Friday. Demercado has only 20 carries for 197 yards and a touchdown this season, adding 11 catches for 86 yards. With James Conner and Trey Benson healthy and available for Sunday's contest, Demercado likely won't get much work, so fantasy managers should keep him out of the starting lineup or off the roster altogether.
Nov 23, 2024 12:28 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (shoulder) was limited in practice for the second straight day on Thursday. This is now back-to-back limited sessions which puts Demercado's status in danger ahead of the Week 12 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. He hasn't been a huge piece to the offense with only three carries last week. However, Demercado recorded 59 rushing yards and a touchdown versus the Chicago Bears earlier this month. Despite that, Demercado remains the third string back and won't have much streaming appeal even if healthy this weekend.
Nov 21, 2024 9:50 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (shoulder) was listed on the Week 12 injury report on Wednesday after he was limited in the first practice of the week. Demercado may need to put in a full practice on Thursday or Friday to avoid an injury designation going into Sunday's divisional contest against the Seattle Seahawks. The 25-year-old hasn't had more than four carries in a game this year and combined for seven rushing attempts, 81 yards and a touchdown in Weeks 9 and 10 before the Cardinals went on bye last week. He remains the No. 3 in Arizona's backfield behind James Conner and rookie Trey Benson, so Demercado has no standalone fantasy appeal and should be on the waiver wire in the vast majority of leagues. He's averaging a stout 9.9 yards per carry in his second NFL season but only has 20 carries for 197 yards and the one score in 10 games.
Nov 21, 2024 12:32 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (shoulder) was a limited participant in the team's first practice after their Week 11 bye. The TCU product evidently picked up a shoulder issue at some point between Arizona's 31-6 victory over the New York Jets in Week 10 and Wednesday's practice, but that he could log a limited session suggests it might not be that serious. The Cards have a divisional clash on tap with the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday, and the 25-year-old will have two more opportunities to elevate his practice status before the team must label him with a designation for the Week 12 road tilt. Rookie running back Trey Benson has seen his snap and opportunity share increase over the team's last few games and would be in line for more work behind lead back James Conner if Demercado can't suit up.
Nov 20, 2024 9:18 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado got involved in the Week 9 win over the Chicago Bears with an impressive 53-yard rushing touchdown right before halftime, giving the Cardinals a 21-9 lead. Demercado has impressed throughout the season in his limited playing time, which has frequently come on third downs. His final stat line was four carries for 59 yards and one rushing touchdown, along with two catches for 21 yards. It's unclear whether Demercado's role will increase, making him not an option for fantasy managers when the Cardinals play the Jets in Week 10.
Nov 4, 2024 8:51 AM EST
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