Cardinals News
[the_ad id=”105842″]Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado will not face any punishment for his costly fumble in Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans, head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed Monday. The decision comes after Demercado dropped the football just before crossing the goal line on what appeared to be a 72-yard touchdown run.
Gannon addressed the incident during a team meeting on Monday morning. He apologized to Demercado and the team for his visible frustration on the sideline following the play. The coach appeared to make contact with Demercado while yelling at him immediately after the fumble.
The play occurred early in the fourth quarter with Arizona leading 21-6. Demercado broke free through the Tennessee defense but released the ball before crossing the goal line. Officials ruled it a 71-yard run followed by a fumble that went out of the back of the end zone for a touchback. The Titans took possession and mounted a comeback, winning 22-21.
Gannon said Monday he did not feel good about his reaction when he woke up that morning. He told the team he let the moment get the better of him. The coach said his job is to remain emotionally stable and solve problems during games. He acknowledged the outburst was not what he wants to be as a leader.
The Cardinals fined Gannon $100,000 for the sideline altercation. The NFL announced Tuesday it would not take further action against the coach. The league said it had been in contact with the players’ association and the club regarding the matter.
Demercado finished Sunday’s game with 81 rushing yards on three carries. The 26-year-old undrafted free agent from TCU has 89 total rushing yards on seven carries this season. He caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Murray in the team’s Week 3 loss to Seattle.
Gannon said Monday there would be no repercussions for the fumble. He did not bench Demercado after the play and gave him one additional touch before the game ended. The coach emphasized that losing is never about one play or one phase of the game.
Michael Carter seized the primary rushing role in Week 5 following Trey Benson’s knee injury. Carter started against Tennessee and carried the ball 18 times for 51 yards and a touchdown. The former New York Jets fourth-round pick was signed to the active roster from the practice squad before the game.
Benson was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his meniscus. The second-year back from Florida State is expected to miss four to six weeks. He had assumed the starting role in Week 4 after James Conner suffered a season-ending foot injury against San Francisco.
Carter is expected to maintain the lead-back role when Arizona visits Indianapolis on Sunday. Demercado will operate as a change-of-pace option and third-down specialist. Bam Knight also remains available in the backfield rotation.
Gannon said Wednesday he was not certain whether Demercado could handle duties on all three downs. The coach said all three running backs would likely see playing time against the Colts. He expressed confidence in the depth at the position despite losing both Conner and Benson to injuries.
Demercado has experience as a fill-in starter. He started two games during his 2023 rookie season when Conner was injured. He rushed for 136 yards on 33 carries in those contests while adding five receptions for 18 yards.
The Cardinals enter Week 6 with a 2-3 record after losing three consecutive games. All three losses came on field goals as time expired. Arizona opened the season with victories over New Orleans and Carolina before dropping games to San Francisco, Seattle and Tennessee.
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