Demercado tallied 284 yards and two touchdowns on 58 carries and hauled in 21 of 30 targets for 119 yards in 14 regular-season games in 2023.

EDGE Analysis

The undrafted rookie had a moment in the spotlight from Weeks 5-8, a span in which he earned two starts in place of an injured James Conner and netted 228 yards from scrimmage and one TD on 52 touches. Otherwise, Conner dominated the Cardinals backfield, and midseason waiver-wire pickup Michael Carter even surpassed Demercado on the RB depth chart over the final six outings of the season. All of Conner, Carter and Demercado will be back in 2024, so Demercado again won't be higher than No. 2 or 3 at the position as the roster currently stands.

Demercado hauled in one of three targets for nine yards but didn't record a carry during Sunday's 35-31 victory at Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

In a Cardinals backfield paced by James Conner, Demercado appeared to be making some headway, with 14 touches for 120 yards from scrimmage and a rushing touchdown in the previous two contests. Having said that, Michael Carter was called upon instead behind Conner on Sunday, as the former had 67 total yards and a TD catch on eight touches. Neither Demercado (12 percent) nor Carter (17 percent) had big snap shares, but the latter got the call on the touch front Week 17. After another huge Conner performance (133 yards from scrimmage, two TDs on 27 touches), Demercado and Carter in essence are vying for scraps on a weekly basis ahead of Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

Demercado should continue to play a regular role in the Cardinals offense in the final two games of the regular season, Zach Gershman of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Speaking about Arizona's rookie class in general Thursday, coach Jonathan Gannon said, "Reps are gold right now for those guys, and they'll take the next step." Since the team's Week 14 bye, Demercado earned 24 percent of the offensive snaps Week 15 against the 49ers and then 38 percent this past Sunday at Chicago, combining for eight carries for 74 yards and one touchdown and eight catches (on 11 targets) for 46 yards in those games. James Conner is the Cardinals' unquestioned lead runner, but Demercado figures to continue being a regular option behind him Week 17 in Philadelphia and Week 18 versus the Seahawks.

Demercado notched four carries for 64 yards and one touchdown and gathered in one of three targets for six yards during Sunday's 45-29 loss to the 49ers.

EDGE Analysis

Demercado logged his longest play from scrimmage as a pro when he banged his way through a bunch of bodies early in the fourth quarter before finding no 49er defenders in front of him en route a 49-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Otherwise, he was pretty quiet on his four other touches, amassing 21 total yards. While Demercado matched fellow reserve running back Michael Carter (six touches, 37 yards) with 18 snaps on offense, James Conner continued to pave the way with 36 such plays and 17 touches for 89 total yards and a TD. Overall, the Cardinals racked up 234 rushing yards against a decent San Francisco defensive front, so Demercado may continue to maintain some sway in Arizona's offense over the final three contests of the season.

Demercado (neck) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game versus the 49ers, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Demercado thus will benefit from a Week 14 bye and not miss a game as a result of the neck injury that he sustained Week 13 at Pittsburgh. With a full practice under his belt Friday as well, he'll continue to be one of the options out of the backfield alongside Michael Carter behind starter James Conner.

Demercado (neck) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Demercado has been dealing with a neck injury since sustaining it in the first quarter of the Cardinals' last game Week 13 at Pittsburgh. With the benefit of a Week 14 bye, the undrafted rookie running back has logged two capped sessions this week, but he may need to get back to full Friday in order to avoid a designation ahead of Sunday's contest versus the 49ers. If Demercado is able to suit up this weekend, he and Michael Carter would be the candidates for reps behind the team's No. 1 running back James Conner.

Demercado (neck) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Demercado left Arizona's last game Week 13 at Pittsburgh in the first quarter to be evaluated for a concussion along with a neck concern. He eventually was ruled out of the contest, but he cleared the protocol for head injuries, leaving him to recover from the neck issue during the team's Week 14 bye. Following the respite, Demercado will look to increase his activity level as the week goes on in order to avoid a designation ahead of Sunday's matchup with the 49ers. Assuming he's able to return to action, Demercado and Michael Carter would be the candidates for backfield reps behind starter James Conner.

Demercado (neck) returned to practice Wednesday, Howard Balzer of GoPHNX.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Demercado was evaluated for head and neck injuries after taking a hard hit during the first quarter of a Week 13 win over Pittsburgh. He ended up clearing concussion protocol but nonetheless missed the rest of that game, though he looks as though he's close to full health coming out of Arizona's Week 14 bye. Assuming he'll be available for this Sunday's game against the 49ers, Demercado probably won't have much of a role, considering Conner typically dominates the snaps out of the backfield when healthy, while Michael Carter is also on hand to fill in for whatever plays Conner doesn't handle.

Demercado won't return to Sunday's game in Pittsburgh due to a neck injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Demercado took a big hit in the middle of the first quarter that resulted in a Kyler Murray incompletion and an unnecessary roughness penalty for Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts. While Demercado was evaluated for a concussion in addition to the neck issue, he doesn't have a head injury and thus is dealing with only the latter concern. Michael Carter thus will handle and RB reps that don't go to starter James Conner for the rest of this contest.

Demercado is being evaluated for a concussion and a neck injury during Sunday' game against the Steelers.

EDGE Analysis

Priot to his exit from the contest, Demercado hadn't recorded a carry. In his absence, Michael Carter is on hand to provide the Cardinals with RB depth behind James Conner.