It’s been an up-and-down season for Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado, but his breakout could be coming.
The third-year back has shown plenty of flashes of talent during his time in Arizona, but there have always been obstacles in his way to getting lead-back touches.
In years past, it was other running backs and veterans; this year, it was his costly mental mistake that went viral across the league in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans.
Can Emari Demercado Become Arizona’s Lead Back?
Demercade played college ball at TCU, and the Cardinals signed him in 2023. The young running back has played 34 games in his three years in Arizona, but only two of those have been starts.
The Cardinals running back had 58 carries for 284 yards and two touchdowns in 2023, and caught 21 passes for 119 yards. In 2024, Demercado had only 24 rushes but capitalized on them for 223 yards.
The TCU product averaged more than nine yards per carry in 2024 and had a touchdown, and caught another 16 passes for 104 yards.
Demercado entered the 2025 season in a similar spot as the last two years, with James Connor and Trey Benson ahead of him in the Cardinals’ running back room.
However, when both players went down with injuries, it was finally his time to rise to the occasion. Instead, Arizona signed Michael Carter from its practice squad, and he got the bulk of the carries.
Demercado had just three rushes in the first game, both Connor and Benson were out for, but one was a 71-yard dash to the end zone.
The run would’ve nearly put the game away and given the Cardinals their third win of the season. However, Demercado dropped the ball before he crossed the goal line, and the Cardinals fell apart from there.
Arizona lost the game to the Titans, marking their third straight loss, which ultimately turned into five consecutive losses.
However, the Cardinals broke that losing streak on Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys, and Demercado not only looked explosive but also led the team in rushing yards and attempts.
“Monday night, the boy [Demercado] was running hard. Some huge runs, some game-changing runs,” Cardinals tight end Pharaoh Brown told PFSN’s Allison Koehler. “So that just goes to a testament of the roster, and the guys are taking the opportunity when it comes. Because this league always has injuries. People have to step up.”
Demercado did just that. The Cardinals running back had 14 carries, which was a season high, for 79 yards, and caught a pass. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry and held onto the football.
Arizona ran the ball 29 times on Monday night, which was the most all season, according to PFSN’s Offense Impact. The Cardinals also had 119 rushing yards, which was their third-most this season.
In fact, Demercado had a 19-yard run late in the fourth quarter, and once he got the first down and was headed toward the sideline, he slid down in bounds. It forced the Cowboys to use their timeout, allowing the Cardinals to ice the game away.
“He made a tremendous play on that one play where he stayed in bounds. That’s something where you don’t necessarily coach,” Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. said. “The players have to have the wherewithal to be able to make a winning football play like that.”
It was a big moment for Demercado, especially after his massive mental mistake against the Titans earlier this season.
It’s the type of play that can re-earn the trust of your teammates and coaching staff.
“That’s a testament to someone’s true character, which is how you can battle back from any mistake, or just resilience,” Harrison said. “I kind of had to go through that myself. So, I’ve been right there with him through all the ups and downs. All the mistakes that you made are part of playing football at this level.”
Not only did Emari’s decision earn further trust and respect from the Cardinals’ No. 1 receiver and fellow young player on the team, but it also impressed his veteran quarterback.
“I think that just shows you what this league is, and how you can’t ride the wave of emotions,” Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett said. “From a young player, you make a mistake, and then when you get your opportunity again, you always talk about not being repeat offenders.
“I just told him it was four minutes, and he just naturally goes down and stays in bounds to keep the clock running.”
Demercado’s play on Monday was a statement about where he is mentally and the growth he has made since Week 5.
Brissett also shared a conversation he had with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing on the flight home to Arizona.
“I was talking to Drew on the plane, and he was like, “How about Emari going down in bounds?’ I was like, ‘We all thought he was going to try to score,’” Brissett said. “But, just to have the wherewithal to just say, ‘Hey, you know what, I need to go down right now.’
“I remember watching that in the middle of the game, and going like, ‘Dang, that’s big time right there.’”
Now, the Cardinals will travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks. Benson is eligible to return from injury, but coach Jonathan Gannon said his status is still up in the air.
If Benson can’t return on Sunday, Demercado may have another chance to earn his spot as the Cardinals’ lead back in the second half of the season.