In the swirling chaos of the Arizona Cardinals' backfield, Emari Demercado suddenly finds himself thrust into the spotlight. With Trey Benson sidelined by a knee injury that's likely to keep him out for four to six weeks, and James Conner already lost for the season due to a foot problem, Demercado's role is expanding rapidly. Indeed, reports indicate Benson is headed to injured reserve, leaving the team to lean on whatever depth they can muster. Demercado, who has been a change-of-pace option so far, now eyes a bigger slice of the pie starting this Sunday against the Titans.
Let's not sugarcoat it—the Cardinals' running game has been a mess this year, plagued by injuries that expose their thin roster. Demercado showed flashes in last Thursday's narrow 23-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, where he managed just two rushes for eight yards but hauled in both targets for 13 yards and a crucial touchdown. That score, a seven-yard grab from Kyler Murray, tied the game at a pivotal moment. However, his limited touches—only those four combined—underscore how sparingly he's been used until now. With Benson down, though, expectations are shifting. Demercado and Michael Carter are poised to split the load, with Bam Knight perhaps nipping at their heels as the third option.
For fantasy football managers scrambling on the waiver wire, this is prime pickup territory. Demercado's agility and receiving skills make him a intriguing flex play, especially in PPR leagues where that touchdown catch could prove prophetic. Projections have him potentially leading the backfield in touches, though Carter's experience might cap his ceiling initially. Moreover, Arizona's offense, under Murray's arm, favors a balanced attack, but the Titans' stout defense could test these unproven legs right away. Still, in a season of surprises, Demercado's versatility offers a low-risk, high-reward bet.
Indeed, as the Cardinals navigate this injury-riddled stretch, Demercado's emergence raises questions about long-term stability in the desert. Will he seize the moment, or will the committee approach dilute everyone's value? Only time, and a few more games, will tell.