Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Nets 79 touches as rookie
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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.
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Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Manages one touch Sunday
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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.
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Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Regular role likely in last two games
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Demercado should continue to play a regular role in the Cardinals offense in the final two games of the regular season, Zach Gershman of the team's official site reports.
Speaking about Arizona's rookie class in general Thursday, coach Jonathan Gannon said, "Reps are gold right now for those guys, and they'll take the next step." Since the team's Week 14 bye, Demercado earned 24 percent of the offensive snaps Week 15 against the 49ers and then 38 percent this past Sunday at Chicago, combining for eight carries for 74 yards and one touchdown and eight catches (on 11 targets) for 46 yards in those games. James Conner is the Cardinals' unquestioned lead runner, but Demercado figures to continue being a regular option behind him Week 17 in Philadelphia and Week 18 versus the Seahawks.
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Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Bursts through for long touchdown
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Demercado notched four carries for 64 yards and one touchdown and gathered in one of three targets for six yards during Sunday's 45-29 loss to the 49ers.
Demercado logged his longest play from scrimmage as a pro when he powered through a bunch of players early in the fourth quarter before finding no 49er defenders in front of him en route a 49-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Otherwise, he was pretty quiet on his four other touches, amassing 21 total yards. While Demercado matched fellow reserve running back Michael Carter (six touches, 37 yards) with 18 snaps on offense, James Conner continued to pave the way with 36 such plays and 17 touches for 89 total yards and a TD. Overall, the Cardinals racked up 234 rushing yards against a decent San Francisco defensive front, so Demercado may continue to maintain some sway in Arizona's offense over the final three contests of the season.
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.
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Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Back at practice
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Demercado (neck) returned to practice Wednesday, Howard Balzer of GoPHNX.com reports.
Demercado was evaluated for head and neck injuries after taking a hard hit during the first quarter of a Week 13 win over Pittsburgh. He ended up clearing concussion protocol but nonetheless missed the rest of that game, though he looks as though he's close to full health coming out of Arizona's Week 14 bye. Assuming he'll be available for this Sunday's game against the 49ers, Demercado probably won't have much of a role, considering Conner typically dominates the snaps out of the backfield when healthy, while Michael Carter is also on hand to fill in for whatever plays Conner doesn't handle.
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Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Exits Sunday's game
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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.
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Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Sparse usage in return
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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.
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Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Returning to action Sunday
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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.
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Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Expected to face Rams
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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.
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Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Questionable for Week 12
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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.
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Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Limited again Wednesday
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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.
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Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Back at practice Wednesday
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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.
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Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Ruled out again
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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.
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Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Sitting out another practice
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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.
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Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Tending to toe issue
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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.
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Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Continues lead role Sunday
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Demercado had 20 carries for 78 yards and caught his lone target for one yard in Sunday's 31-24 loss to the Ravens.
Demercado continued to serve as the Cardinals' lead back Sunday after head coach Jonathan Gannon shook up the backfield depth chart and started the undrafted rookie in last week's loss to Seattle. Demercado wound up taking 20 of Arizona's 24 running back carries, with Damien Williams and Keaontay Ingram splitting the remaining touches. Demercado has performed adequately replacing injured starter James Conner (knee) -- who is still on IR without a timetable to return -- making the rookie a viable fantasy option against the Browns next Sunday.
Demercado's matchup is terrible, but his role in the passing game is solid and the Ravens have allowed five catches and 40 yards to running backs per game. That makes Demercado a much better start in full PPR leagues than non or half PPR leagues.
