Emari Demercado - Page 6 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

4 years after nearly quitting football, Emari Demercado is savoring each moment Emari Demercado nearly quit football in his fourth year at TCU. Now, the Arizona Cardinals running back is entering his third season in the...

SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Garners 30 total yards in loss Demercado rushed seven times for 22 yards and brought in two of three targets for eight yards in the Cardinals' 20-10 preseason win over the Raiders on Saturday night.

Impact Demercado, who was the first Arizona running back to log a touch Saturday, finished the preseason by upping his yardage total over that of the previous game for the second straight week, but he still finished with a modest yardage total. The third-year pro has proven capable of filling a complementary role in the Cardinals' backfield over the past two seasons, but with Bam Knight breaking off a 67-yard touchdown run and Michael Carter averaging 9.4 yards per carry Saturday, it remains to be seen if one or both will vault over Demercado come final roster cuts.

AUGUST 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Fills dual role in preseason loss Demercado rushed six times for 15 yards, failed to bring in his only target and returned two kickoffs for 60 yards in the Cardinals' 27-7 preseason loss to the Broncos on Saturday...

Impact Demercado was the second back in the game behind Michael Carter, the player he's trying to hold off for the No. 3 running back job. Neither player was able to find much in the way of running room, but that presumably leaves Demercado with at least a slight edge in the competition given his speed and ability to contribute as a returner. Next Saturday night's home preseason finale against the Raiders may serve as the tipping point before head coach Jonathan Gannon and his staff make a final decision.

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Cardinals Cover 2 - Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, Darren Hall Among Those Who Stood Out In Preseason Opener Ep. 913 - First and foremost, no injuries. Second, they got a win. Third, several players had good performances. Craig Grialou and Dani Sure...

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AUGUST 10, 2025 • Associated Press

Can't-Miss Play: 43-yard TD! Demercado takes screen-pass to the house Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado takes a screen-pass from quarterback Jacoby Brissett 43 yards to the house against the Kansas...

AUGUST 10, 2025 • NFL.COM

Healthy for OTAs Demercado (back) is participating in voluntary OTAs, Jess Root of USA Today reports.

Impact Demercado missed the final four games of the 2024 season due to a back injury that required him to be placed on IR, but he's now back on the field for OTAs. He looked impressive as a change-of-pace option behind James Conner and Trey Benson in 2024, averaging a tremendous 9.3 YPC in a small sample size of 24 carries for 223 yards and one score (13 regular-season contests). Arizona looks set to carry an essentially identical backfield depth chart into the 2025 campaign, positioning Demercado to compete for a similar No. 3 role in which his efficiency on limited touches can shine.

JUNE 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ends campaign on IR Demercado (back) took 24 carries for 223 yards and one touchdown, hauled in 16 of 20 passes for 104 yards and no TDs and returned three kickoffs for 64 yards in 13 regular-season g...

Impact Prior to landing on injured reserve due to a back issue after Week 14, Demercado operated in a regular, albeit small, role out of the Cardinals backfield, seeing touches in all but one of his appearances. He averaged a robust 9.3 YPC on the campaign, and even if one removes his two runs of 40-plus yards, he boasted 5.9 YPC on his other 22 rushes, which is a shade above the 4.9 he logged as an undrafted rookie in 2023. With both James Conner (knee) and 2024 third-rounder Trey Benson (ankle) under contract next season, Demercado will remain a tertiary RB for Arizona in the fall.

FEBRUARY 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to IR The Cardinals placed Demercado (back) on injured reserve Saturday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Demercado has been dealing with a back injury since late November, though he had been able to play through the issue until this week. He was ruled out Friday for Sunday's matchup against New England, and one day later the 25-year-old running back has landed on IR. Demercado isn't eligible to return during the regular season, so Arizona would need to get hot and make the playoffs in order for him to have a chance of suiting up again during the current campaign.

DECEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out for Week 15 Demercado (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

Impact Demercado played just eight offensive snaps last week against Seattle, and he's been passed on the depth chart by rookie Trey Benson in recent games. DeeJay Dallas will handle RB3 duties behind James Conner and Benson.

DECEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Still not practicing Demercado (back) didn't practice Thursday, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact Demercado has yet to take part in drills this week due to a lingering back injury that limited him during the entirety of Week 13 prep. His lack of activity this time around may be maintenance related, but his status is one to monitor to see if he could be in danger of missing Sunday's game versus the Patriots. If Demercado is inhibited or sidelined this weekend, rookie Trey Benson would be the Cardinals' unquestioned No. 2 RB behind starter James Conner.

DECEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't practice Wednesday Demercado (back) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact For a second time in three weeks, Demercado is being listed with a back injury on Arizona's practice report. During Week 13 prep, though, he at least was limited, so his lack of activity Wednesday is somewhat concerning. As a result, Demercado's status is one to monitor as the week goes on to see if fellow reserve RB Trey Benson may be in line for a bigger role behind starter James Conner on Sunday versus the Patriots.

DECEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs four receptions in Week 15 Demercado recorded four receptions for 15 yards on four targets while playing eight of the Cardinals' 71 snaps on offense in Sunday's 30-18 loss to the Seahawks.

Impact Though he saw plenty of involvement during his brief time on the field, Demercado has yielded more playing time of late to rookie Trey Benson, who has either exceeded or matched his snap count in three of the last four contests. Starting running back James Conner has stayed healthy throughout the season and continues to serve as the lead runner while seeing ample usage on passing downs, leaving limited work left over for both Benson and Demercado. So long as the Cardinals remain in contention for a playoff spot, expect both backups to handle minor roles on offense while Arizona leans heavily on Conner.

DECEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Suiting up Sunday Demercado (back) is listed as active Sunday at Minnesota, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact Arizona capped Demercado's practice reps during the entirety of Week 13 prep due to a back injury, but the issue won't stop him from being available to the team's backfield Sunday. Nevertheless, with 32 touches in 11 appearances this season, he doesn't hold much sway with James Conner leading the Cardinals' rushing attack and rookie third-rounder Trey Benson taking 58 touches himself in 10 outings to date.

DECEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable due to back injury Demercado (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Vikings, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Demercado was limited in all three of Arizona's practices ahead of Sunday's game in Minnesota. If he suits up, Demercado will likely continue to see modest usage in a Cardinals backfield led by James Conner. Rookie third-round pick Trey Benson has also been more involved recently than Demercado, as the latter has exceeded two touches in only four of 11 appearances.

NOVEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Remains limited Thursday Demercado (back) was listed as limited on Thursday's injury report, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact Demercado maintained his listing from Wednesday's session as he tends to a back issue, giving him just one more chance to get back to full participation Friday or else risk entering the weekend with a designation for Sunday's game at Minnesota. If he's able to suit up, he'll split the reps behind starting running back James Conner with rookie third-round pick Trey Benson.

NOVEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Has back injury Demercado was limited at Wednesday's practice due to a back injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact Demercado dealt with a shoulder issue last week, but it didn't stop him from suiting up this past Sunday at Seattle. While he matched fellow reserve RB Trey Benson's nine offensive snaps, Demercado recorded a single carry versus the rookie's four rushes. Per usual, James Conner led the way with 40 (of 58) plays and 12 touches for 49 yards from scrimmage. Assuming Demercado puts this new health concern behind him, he likely won't be afforded enough looks to produce Sunday in Minnesota.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Just one touch in Week 12 Demercado tallied a 14-yard carry during Sunday's 16-6 defeat at Seattle.

Impact Demercado has four outings on the season with one or zero touches, Week 12 included, despite seeing regular usage on offense. As for the rest of the Cardinals backfield, James Conner led the way Sunday with 12 touches for 49 yards from scrimmage on 40 snaps, and Trey Benson matched Demercado's nine plays but had four rushes for a team-leading 18 yards. Demercado likely will retain a small role moving forward unless Conner or Benson require an absence of some sort.

NOVEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for Week 12 Demercado (shoulder) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest in Seattle, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

Impact Demercado began Week 12 prep with back-to-back limited practices due to a shoulder issue, but his ability to handle every rep Friday paved the way for him to continue to be available out of the Cardinals backfield. Still, rookie third-rounder Trey Benson seemed take over the No. 2 role behind starter James Conner in the team's two games before a Week 11 bye, as the former logged 32 offensive snaps and 21 touches versus 21 and nine, respectively, for Demercado during that span. At the very least, though, Demercado should be good for at least a handful of touches Sunday, as he averages 3.1 per game on the season.

NOVEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Remains limited Thursday Demercado (shoulder) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Demercado now has strung together back-to-back capped sessions to kick off Week 12 prep, giving him just one more opportunity to get back to full participation or else risk entering the weekend with a designation for Sunday's game at Seattle. Even if he's able to suit up, though, he likely will work behind starting RB James Conner and fellow reserve Trey Benson, as he has in the Cardinals' previous two contests.

NOVEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tending to shoulder issue Demercado was limited at Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Demercado took a back seat to rookie third-round pick Trey Benson in the two games before the Cardinals' Week 11 bye, earning 21 snaps and nine touches versus 32 and 21, respectively, for the latter. Benson also averaged 5.5 yards per carry, while Demercado averaged 4.7 YPC outside of his 53-yard TD run Week 9. With a health concern now in tow, Demercado may fall even further behind in the RB pecking order to starter James Conner and Benson.

NOVEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Garners three carries in Week 10 Demercado tallied three carries for 22 yards during Sunday's 31-6 win against the Jets.

Impact One week removed from his second-highest touch count (six) of the season, Demercado took a back seat to James Conner and fellow reserve RB Trey Benson out of the Cardinals backfield. Conner again led the way with 17 touches for 113 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD on a 54 percent snap share, while Benson handled 12 touches for 87 total yards on 27 percent of plays. As for Demercado, he was third with 12 percent, and even DeeJay Dallas got three carries on four snaps in garbage time. It seems clear at this point in the campaign that Demercado is third in the pecking order among the top trio, and with a Week 11 bye on tap, his next chance to contribute is Sunday. Nov. 24 at Seattle.

NOVEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Big Red Rage - Emari Demercado Valuable Piece In Cardinals Backfield Ep. 689 - Running back Emari Demercado joined Paul Calvisi and Ron Wolfley at Trophy in Chandler to talk about the Cardinals 29-9 win over t...

NOVEMBER 8, 2024 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Records first touchdown of season Demercado took four carries for 59 yards and one touchdown and hauled in both targets for 21 yards during Sunday's 29-9 win versus the Bears.

Impact Aside from a 53-yard TD run late in the first half, Demercado was relatively quiet, gaining 27 yards on his five other touches. He also ranked third among Cardinals running backs in snap share (24 percent) behind starter James Conner (48 percent) and rookie Trey Benson (28 percent). All three players produced, with Conner leading the way with 21 touches for 119 yards from scrimmage, while Benson had nine touches for 55 total yards and a TD on the ground. The preceding won't happen most weeks, though, leaving Demercado on the outside looking in at fantasy relevance without some sort of absence from Conner.

NOVEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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