Emari Demercado will miss the Arizona Cardinals’ Week 7 game against the Green Bay Packers due to an ankle injury sustained during the team’s recent loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed that Demercado, who exited the field early in the second quarter, will not return for this matchup, exacerbating the team’s existing running back issues.
The Cardinals are already feeling the strain in their backfield following injuries to other key players. Trey Benson has been placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, and James Conner’s season ended prematurely due to a foot injury. As it stands, Bam Knight and Michael Carter are the only running backs available on the 53-man roster. There is a possibility that the team will elevate D’Ernest Johnson or Jermar Jefferson from the practice squad to strengthen their depth for this critical game.
In Week 6, Michael Carter was initially named the starting running back, despite predictions that Knight would take over the role. Before Demercado’s injury, Carter had five rushing attempts compared to Knight’s one, although Knight’s only attempt was a successful goal-line touchdown run. After Demercado’s departure from the game, Knight stepped up with 10 rushes, while Carter recorded four; however, Carter did see more action in the passing game with five targets compared to Knight’s two.
Jonathan Gannon noted that the game plan had to be adjusted following Demercado’s injury, leading to an increase in Carter’s responsibilities, particularly in the passing game. Gannon indicated that while he had a structured plan for the roles of his running backs, the specific distribution of snaps might continue to evolve.
As the Cardinals prepare for their matchup with the Packers, the focus will be on executing the strategy developed in the wake of Demercado’s absence. The team appears committed to adapting as they navigate this challenging time, with hopes of recovering from recent setbacks and achieving a positive outcome against a formidable opponent.