EMARI DEMERCADO NEWS

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

The Cardinals Locker Room Show vs CHI - Zaven Collins, Emari Demercado And Jonathan Gannon React To The Dominant 29-9 Win Over Bears Dave Pasch and Ron Wolfley provide instant reaction to the Cardinals dominant 29-9 win against the Chicago Bears at State Farm Stadium. Plus...

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • AZCARDINALS.COM

HIGHLIGHT: Emari Demercado Takes It In For 53-Yard Touchdown In Final Seconds Of First Half Cardinals RB Emari Demercado scores on a 53-yard touchdown run against the Chicago Bears in the final seconds of the first half.

NOVEMBER 3, 2024 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Quiet in win Demercado rushed once for 14 yards in Monday's 17-15 win over the Chargers.

Impact Demercado played just six of the Cardinals' 57 offensive snaps Monday, while starter James Conner handled the majority of playing time out of the backfield with 48 snaps. The latter was a major bright spot for Arizona's offense, finishing with 152 yards from scrimmage on 21 total touches on a day in which the Cardinals scored just 17 points in a narrow victory. With Conner dominating the workload with success, Demercado and fellow backup running back Trey Benson won't consistently garner enough opportunities to be relevant for fantasy. The 25-year-old Demercado is best left off the fantasy radar when the Cardinals visit the Dolphins in Week 8.

OCTOBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nine touches in lopsided loss Demercado rushed four times for 25 yards and brought in five of seven targets for 39 yards in the Cardinals' 34-13 loss to the Packers on Sunday. He also returned two kickoffs for...

Impact Demercado was the surprising runner-up in receptions, receiving yards and targets on the afternoon for the Cardinals, tallying season-high figures in all three categories as well. The second-year pro has played a minimal role on offense for the most part behind James Conner, but Demercado logged only two fewer touches than his veteran teammate Sunday. However, rookie Trey Benson was also involved to the tune of five rush attempts, so Demercado's fantasy outlook remains volatile on a week-to-week basis heading into the Week 7 bye.

OCTOBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nine touches in lopsided loss Demercado rushed four times for 25 yards and brought in five of seven targets for 39 yards in the Cardinals' 34-13 loss to the Packers on Sunday. He also returned two kickoffs for...

Impact Demercado was the surprising runner-up in receptions, receiving yards and targets on the afternoon for the Cardinals, tallying season-high figures in all three categories as well. The second-year pro has played a minimal role on offense for the most part behind James Conner, but Demercado logged only two fewer touches than his veteran teammate Sunday. However, rookie Trey Benson was also involved to the tune of five rush attempts, so Demercado's fantasy outlook remains volatile on a week-to-week basis heading into the Week 7 bye.

OCTOBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

The Cardinals Locker Room Show @ GB - Krys Barnes, Emari Demercado And Jonathan Gannon React To The 34-13 Loss To The Green Bay Packers Dave Pasch and Ron Wolfley provide instant reaction to the Cardinals 34-13 loss against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field. Pl...

OCTOBER 13, 2024 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Records one touch in Week 5 Demercado didn't have a carry and gathered in his only target for no yards during Sunday's 24-23 victory at San Francisco.

Impact For the second time in five contests this season, Demercado didn't record a carry, but he at least earned snaps (13 of 58), which can't be said for 2024 third-rounder Trey Benson. The rookie was active, but Demercado was the only one of the duo to get work behind starter James Conner, who played 79 percent of the offensive plays and turned 21 touches into 100 yards from scrimmage. At the very least, Demercado seems to have a firm grasp on the No. 2 RB role in Arizona, but he's so far averaging 2.4 touches per game.

OCTOBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Records one touch in Week 5 Demercado didn't have a carry and gathered in his only target for no yards during Sunday's 24-23 victory at San Francisco.

Impact For the second time in five contests this season, Demercado didn't record a carry, but he at least earned snaps (13 of 58), which can't be said for 2024 third-rounder Trey Benson. The rookie was active, but Demercado was the only one of the duo to get any work behind starter James Conner, who played 79 percent of the offensive plays and turned 21 touches into 100 yards from scrimmage. At the very least, Demercado seems to have a firm grasp on the No. 2 RB role in Arizona, but he's so far averaging just 2.4 touches per game.

OCTOBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Earns five touches Sunday 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 Com...

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sparse usage Sunday Demercado tallied two carries for seven yards and wasn't targeted during Sunday's 20-13 defeat to the Lions.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Salvages day with long run Demercado notched two carries for 46 yards during Sunday's 41-10 win versus the Rams.

Impact 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).

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Has pair of catches in Week 1 Demercado didn't have a carry and recorded two catches (on two targets) for 26 yards during Sunday's 34-28 defeat at Buffalo.

Impact 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 such plays) were well behind James Conner (19 and 41, respectively) in the RB 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.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from injury Saturday Demercado (shoulder) had 10 carries for 24 yards and caught his lone target for nine yards in Saturday's preseason loss to the Colts.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice Wednesday Demercado (shoulder) participated in Wednesday's joint practice with the Colts, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Impact Demercado missed the last week of practice and the Cardinals' first preseason game this past Saturday against the Saints, as he was seen wearing a brace on his right shoulder after last Wednesday's session. Now that he's back in the fold, he'll have a few days to ramp up ahead of Saturday's exhibition at Indianapolis, at which point it'll be interesting to see who among him and rookie third-round pick Trey Benson gets the first RB touches, assuming Demercado is able to suit up. Prior to his injury, Demercado was mixing in with Arizona's first-team offense, spelling starter James Conner in the process, so the former presumably would get initial backfield reps if he's cleared to play and Conner sits out again.

AUGUST 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tending to shoulder injury Demercado was spotted donning a brace on his right shoulder after Wednesday's practice, Howard Balzer of GoPHNX.com reports.

Impact So far during training camp, Demercado has been getting regular reps with the Cardinals' first-team offense, subbing in for No. 1 RB James Conner in such situations. Behind that duo, Michael Carter has handled most of the work with the second team, followed by rookie third-rounder Trey Benson. There's still plenty of time for the pecking order to change ahead of Week 1, and perhaps Demercado's current health concern causes him to tumble. It's unclear if he'll be able to suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Saints, and if Demercado doesn't, Carter, Benson and the rest of Arizona's reserve running backs should have elevated opportunities to contribute.

AUGUST 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cards Camp updates: Hall of Fame trip, an injury, Emari Demercado and Xavier Weaver Howard Balzer gives us an audio update about training camp as the Cardinals have the day off on Wednesday.

JULY 31, 2024 • USATODAY.COM