Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado had five carries for 11 yards in Sunday's 37-14 blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17. Demercado also had two catches for nine yards on three targets. The 26-year-old had another quiet performance despite playing in a favorable matchup on Sunday. Heading into Week 17, the Bengals' defense had surrendered the most fantasy points to running backs this season. Demercado has not been the same fantasy running back since returning from his ankle injury and has played a supporting role in the Cardinals' backfield to Michael Carter. Going into Week 18, Demercado and the Cardinals offense will look to end the season on a high note against the Los Angeles Rams.
Dec 29, 2025 9:59 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado hasn't really been a realistic starting option for fantasy managers this year, even in a banged-up Cardinals backfield. Through 12 games in 2025, Demercado has 42 rushing attempts for 283 yards (6.7 yards per tote) while adding 12 catches for 73 yards and one touchdown on 19 targets. The 26-year-old played only seven snaps in Week 15 in his return from injury against the Houston Texans, but he's been more involved the last two weeks, carrying the ball five times apiece the last two games. Demercado outsnapped lead back Michael Carter in Sunday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and finished with five carries for 11 yards while catching two of his three targets for nine yards. It wasn't much to look at, but with fewer options available to fantasy managers in Week 18, Demercado could be a sneaky deep-league PPR flex play as a pass-catcher in a matchup against the Rams that should feature plenty of positive game script for the Cardinals to use Demercado as a receiver.
Dec 29, 2025 6:18 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado has been gradually reacclimated to the Cardinals' rushing attack after recovering from an ankle injury. In his two games back, Demercado has had six carries for 31 rushing yards and two catches for zero receiving yards. The 26-year-old has been heavily outsnapped and out-touched by fellow running back Michael Carter since returning to action. Demercado and the Cardinals' offense will face a positive matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17. The Bengals' defense has struggled to stop running backs on the ground and in the air this year. They have allowed the most fantasy points to running backs and have given up 25.9 fantasy points per game this season, according to Pro-Football-Reference. However, Demercado should be viewed as a deep league desperation option in Week 17 because he hasn't been a reliable fantasy option since his ankle injury.
Dec 27, 2025 12:03 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado is expected to handle an increased workload against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16, but his fantasy outlook remains murky. He is on track to operate as the backup to Michael Carter this week after Zonovan Knight (ankle) was placed on injured reserve. While Demercado was viewed as Arizona's passing-down specialist at points earlier this season, it's unclear whether that remains his role given how well Carter has performed in the passing game lately. Carter has 19 catches over his last five games, whereas Demercado has just 10 catches through parts of 10 games this year. Rather than being a true passing-down specialist, it seems more likely that the 26-year-old will fall into a change-of-pace role, allowing the Cardinals to manage Carter's workload and keep him fresh. Demercado has shown impressive burst in the past, and his 8.3 yards per carry over the last two seasons indicates that he's capable of breaking off big plays. His fantasy value in Week 16 likely hinges on whether he's able to break off any big runs or catches against the Falcons. In other words, he'll need high efficiency to overcome a backup's workload. He currently ranks as the RB51 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 16.
Dec 20, 2025 4:26 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said on Friday that running back Michael Carter will get the starting nod in the backfield on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons with Bam Knight (ankle) done for the year, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. Emari Demercado is "expected to be involved as well." Carter should handle most of the early down work for Arizona in the final three games of the season, with Demercado serving as the team's passing-down specialist. The 26-year-old returned from a three-game absence due to an ankle sprain in last week's loss to the Houston Texans. Demercado played just 11% of the snaps and had one carry for one yard and two catches for no gain on three targets. In 10 games in 2025, he's averaged only 3.2 yards per carry for 242 yards, and no touchdowns on 32 carries on the ground, adding 10 catches for 64 yards and a TD. At best, Demercado will be a low-upside RB3/flex option for fantasy managers in deeper leagues this weekend.
Dec 19, 2025 1:09 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado missed three games with an ankle sprain but returned in the Week 15 loss to the Houston Texans to handle one carry for one yard while hauling in two of his three targets for no gain. The 26-year-old third-year back has only 32 carries on the year for 242 yards and no touchdowns, adding 10 receptions on 15 targets for 64 yards and one score in 10 games played. He hasn't really been worthy of rostering in 12-team fantasy football leagues. However, with Bam Knight (ankle) now done for the final three games of the season with a bad ankle sprain, Demercado should at least become interesting in deep PPR leagues as Arizona's primary third-down option the rest of the way. Michael Carter is expected to take over on early downs, but Demercado shouldn't be completely ignored in a pass-happy Cardinals offense that has been thinned out by injuries to the receiving corps. Demercado is rostered in only 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Dec 18, 2025 12:27 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado had one carry for a yard in Sunday's 40-20 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 15. Demercado also had two catches for zero yards on three targets. The 26-year-old had a quiet performance in his first game back after missing three games due to an ankle injury. Bam Knight (ankle) was carted off the field early on Sunday and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Michael Carter then slid into the RB1 role and dominated carries the rest of the game. With the Cardinals unsure of Knight's status for Week 16, Demercado could be in for a bigger workload against the Atlanta Falcons. If Knight can't play next week against the Atlanta Falcons, Carter and Demercado would split work in the backfield. It is worth noting that Demercado had out-snapped Carter in two consecutive games before suffering his own ankle injury. Heading into Week 16, Demercado is worth monitoring on waiver wires ahead of his matchup against the Falcons.
Dec 16, 2025 12:21 AM EST
After missing three games with an ankle injury, Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado returned to the lineup in Week 15 against the Houston Texans. The 26-year-old played a minimal role against Houston, recording one scrimmage yard on three touches. However, Cardinals running back Bam Knight (ankle) suffered an ankle injury that knocked him out of the game and required him to be carted off the field. If Knight misses further time, Demercado could step into a more prominent role in the Arizona backfield alongside Michael Carter, who led the team with 18 touches in Week 15. Across 10 games this season, Demercado has racked up 306 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 42 touches. Before suffering the ankle injury, he had out-snapped Carter in two consecutive games. The Cardinals' backfield remains one of the league's more difficult lineup situations to parse. Still, Demercado could be a player to target on the waiver wire heading into his Week 16 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
Dec 15, 2025 10:27 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (ankle) is officially active for Sunday's Week 15 contest against the Houston Texans. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction ahead of kickoff. The 26-year-old is returning from a three-game absence and will likely join a three-man backfield rotation that also features Michael Carter and Bam Knight. Carter is the early favorite to lead Arizona's backfield on Sunday, as he's played more than half of the team's offensive snaps over the last four weeks. He also has a total of 15 catches during those four games, establishing himself as a reliable option in PPR leagues. Demercado, on the other hand, will need to earn his way back into a consistent role after missing time. He's not a dependable fantasy option at the moment.
Dec 14, 2025 11:48 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (ankle) currently carries a questionable tag into Sunday's Week 15 matchup against the Houston Texans. According to Adam Schefter, Demercado is expected to make his return to the field after missing the last three games with an ankle injury. His return to the mix would make for a messy situation in the backfield. Demercado figures to immediately have a significant role, which should reduce the playing time of Bam Knight and Michael Carter. This is already an unfavorable matchup against a Texans defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards this season. If Demercado is active, fantasy managers should view him on the lower end of the FLEX radar in deep leagues.
Dec 14, 2025 8:24 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (ankle) is questionable ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Houston Texans. Demercado was a limited participant in all three practices this week, which is a positive sign that he will suit up on Sunday. The 26-year-old has been sidelined for the last three weeks due to an ankle injury he sustained during Week 11 against the San Francisco 49ers. If Demercado can play, he will likely slide back into his RB2 role as the primary pass-catching back and compete for carries with Michael Carter and Bam Knight. Entering Week 15, Demercado will face a stout Texans defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest receptions and the fifth-fewest rushing yards this season. In a difficult matchup, Demercado should remain out of fantasy lineups in Week 15. Fantasy managers should view him as a wait-and-see fantasy option in Sunday's game to determine if he can be inserted back into fantasy lineups for Week 16 and beyond.
Dec 13, 2025 12:55 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (ankle) is officially listed as questionable ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Houston Texans. Demercado is in danger of missing his fourth straight game due to a high-ankle sprain he suffered in Week 11. He has managed to get in limited practice sessions, but we'll see if that's enough to clear him for this game. If he sits out, Bam Knight and Michael Carter should continue splitting up the reps in the backfield in a bad matchup against the top defense in the NFL. Between the two, Knight is the better streaming choice for Week 15. Knight has scored a touchdown in three of his last four games, and his dual-threat ability should give him flex value for this weekend, assuming Demercado remains sidelined. If Demercado is active, he'll likely play a limited role as a pass-catcher for Arizona.
Dec 12, 2025 6:47 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (ankle) remained limited for a second consecutive practice on Thursday. Demercado is working his way back from a three-game absence, and it looks like there's at least a chance that he could suit up against the Houston Texans on Sunday in Week 15. The 26-year-old was solid when healthy, amassing 182 scrimmage yards and playing more than 40% of the offensive snaps over his last two healthy games. Friday's practice will provide more clarity on his status for Week 15. Even if he does play, though, he'll have to compete for touches with Michael Carter and Bam Knight. For now, Demercado isn't a dependable running back or flex option in the fantasy football playoffs.
Dec 11, 2025 10:12 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (ankle) was listed as limited in the team's practice on Wednesday, according to Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic. Demercado has missed the last three games due to a high-ankle sprain, but if he can upgrade to a full practice on Thursday or Friday, he should have a good chance to return this weekend when the team takes on the Houston Texans. The 26-year-old could be worth a pickup in deep PPR leagues for fantasy managers who still have something left to play for now that it's official that Trey Benson (knee) will not return in 2025. Demercado has only 31 carries in nine games this year, but he's averaging 7.8 yards per carry and has caught eight passes for 64 yards. If he misses a fourth straight game, it will be Bam Knight and Michael Carter once again splitting Arizona's backfield touches in a pass-heavy attack led by veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Dec 10, 2025 5:54 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of the Week 14 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. There was some hope that Demercado would return this weekend after getting in two limited practice sessions. Unfortunately, Demercado sat out of Friday's practice and will be held out for a third straight game due to an ankle sprain. His absence has opened up more playing time for both Bam Knight and Michael Carter, with Trey Benson (knee) still on Injured Reserve. Between the two, Knight is the better streaming choice for Sunday's slate in a tough matchup against L.A. Knight has found the end zone in three straight games. The 24-year-old should be considered a solid low-upside flex play against the Rams. Demerado has a limited path to fantasy relevance in PPR leagues the rest of the way, but only if Benson stays on IR.
Dec 5, 2025 6:18 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (ankle) returned to practice on Wednesday, according to Dani Sureck of AZCardinals.com. Demercado missed the past two games due to a high-ankle sprain, but he is trending in the right direction to suit up in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. With Trey Benson (knee) still on Injured Reserve and seemingly not making much progress after missing Wednesday's practice, Demercado could have a key role if he his able to return on Sunday. Bam Knight and Michael Carter have split the backfield duties in his absence, but Demercado has been their most dynamic back, averaging 7.8 yards per tote on 31 carries this season. We should know more about Demercado's status for Sunday in the next two days.
Dec 3, 2025 2:36 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (ankle) has been ruled out for his team's Week 13 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per Darren Urban of azcardinals.com. Week 13 will mark Demercado's second straight missed game due to an ankle injury. With Demercado and Trey Benson (knee) remaining out in Week 13, the Cardinals' backfield remains wide open. Bam Knight (knee) has been the team's lead back in recent weeks, but he's listed as questionable to play himself due to a knee injury. If Knight is out or limited, Michael Carter could take over the lead role in the Arizona backfield. Jermar Jefferson could also see some work in Arizona after being active for the first time in 2025 in Week 12.
Nov 28, 2025 4:00 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (ankle) has been ruled out for the Week 12 contest this Sunday against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars, head coach Jonathan Gannon said. Demercado suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 11 and will sit out this weekend. Given the nature of the 26-year-old's injury, there's a good chance he'll miss another game in Week 13 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, too. Meanwhile, Trey Benson (knee) is having his 21-day practice window opened this week, so he's nearing a return for the first time since injuring his knee in Week 4. When Demercado gets over his ankle injury, he just might be the No. 4 RB on Arizona's depth chart, so he's certainly not worth stashing in 12-team fantasy leagues. With Demercado out this week and Benson probably not ready to return yet, Bam Knight could get one more week as the RB1, with Michael Carter working on passing downs.
Nov 19, 2025 12:24 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday's 41-22 loss to the San Francisco 49ers and is considered unlikely to play in Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Demercado left the game in the second quarter after recording five carries for eight yards and two catches (three targets) for 12 tards. The injury comes at an unfortunate time for the 26-year-old as he was beginning to establish himself as the preferred option in Arizona's backfield, but he will now be sidelined for at least one week and possibly longer as ankle injuries tend to linger. Bam Knight handled most of the backfield duties in his absence and would be expected to take on an even larger role if Trey Benson (knee) is still unable to return in Week 12.
Nov 18, 2025 10:02 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (ankle) exited during the second quarter of Sunday's Week 11 contest against the San Francisco 49ers. He is officially listed as questionable to return. At the time of his departure, he had eight rushing yards on five carries, plus two catches for an additional 12 receiving yards. Demercado had been sharing reps as part of the Cardinals' backfield committee, so Bam Knight should take over as the primary running back for the duration of his absence. Michael Carter also figures to earn some touches.
Nov 16, 2025 5:18 PM EST
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