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Cardinals running back solution revealed for Week 5 vs. Titans

Originally posted on Burn City Sports
By Tanner Tortorella | Last updated Oct 4, 2025 8:20 PM ET

GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals running back room has been decimated to start the 2025 season. Two-time Pro Bowler James Conner out for the year, while backup Trey Benson was placed on injury reserve with no timetable on his return. Arizona will have to rely on its other guys to pick up the slack, which head Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing seem comfortable doing in Week 5 vs. Tennessee Titans.

Per a report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the team plans on using third-string running back Emari Demercado still as the third-down back, with his prowess as a receiving back. This would leave Michael Carter and Bam Knight to be trading off first and second down carries in Sunday’s game.

Cardinals gameplan for Sunday:

Decimated by RB injuries, the Cardinals plan to ride the hot hand Sunday vs. Tennessee. That includes Michael Carter and Bam Knight on base downs and Emari Demercado on third downs.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 4, 2025

Carter was recently signed to the 53-man roster, after Benson was placed on IR. The 26-year-old had been a part of the franchise for the past two seasons, before he was cut this past preseason in place for Knight. However, his return comes in the team’s desperate need. Carter’s familiarity with the Cardinals system could get him more reps than Knight, as the latter has been used strictly for kickoff returns.

Petzing’s scheme is very much run-heavy and relies on extra blockers to open up holes for the halfbacks. Despite the injuries, Carter and Demercado have been in Arizona’s offense for the entirety of Petzing’s stay in the organization and know the gameplan. Against a struggling Titans run defense, the Cardinals shouldn’t face much of a fall off in comparison to previous weeks.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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