The 2025 NFL season is only four weeks old and the Arizona Cardinals are on to their third starting running back of the season.
Arizona moved starter Trey Benson to injured reserve (IR) today, per Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon, due to a knee injury. The second-year running back made his first start of the year in Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks on ‘Thursday Night Football’ and will be out for at least the next four to six weeks.
He underwent surgery to repair his meniscus, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This comes a week after the team announced longtime starter James Conner will be out for the season with an ankle injury suffered against NFC West foe San Francisco in Week 3.
Arizona’s comeback in Week 4 against Seattle fell short and moved the Cardinals to 2-2 on the season. They’re home again this week to take on the 0-4 Tennessee Titans.
Benson is the team’s leading rusher this season with 29 carries for 160 yards. Quarterback Kyler Murray is second on the team with 148 rushing yards on 25 carries.
Now, the team is turning to their third starting running back in three weeks: Emari Demercado.
Trey Benson replacement: Who is Emari Demercado?
Arizona signed Demercado as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft out of TCU. Demercado got plenty of action as a rookie in 2023 including two starts against Seattle in Week 7 and Baltimore in Week 8 of that season.
He finished his rookie season with 58 carries for 284 yards and two touchdowns. He added 21 receptions for 119 yards to his stat line for the year as well.
In 2024, he battled Benson for the No. 2 running back spot behind Conner. Benson won out and was more involved in the offense but Demercado still played in 13 games. He tallied 24 carries for 233 yards and a touchdown on the ground as well as 16 catches and 104 yards receiving.
Cardinals RB depth chart
Trey Benson (IR)
Emari Demercado
Bam Knight
Michael Carter
D’Ernest Johnson (practice squad)
Demercado now leads the way with veterans Knight and Carter behind him. Carter was promoted to the active roster following Benson’s move to IR and Arizona signed Johnson to fill his spot on the practice squad in case of another injury.
