Emari Demercado

Cardinals RB Emari Demercado (toe) is active for today s game vs. the Rams. It ll be his first action since Week 8. RB Michael Carter will also make his Arizona debut today, while RB Keaontay Ingram is a healthy scratch. James Conner should still operate as the Cardinals clear lead back.

Both listed as Questionable Cardinals WR Marquise Brown, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a heel injury, is expected to play vs. the Rams, per source. Cardinals RB Emari Demercado, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a toe injury, also is expected to play. (Adam Schefter on X) FF Today's Take: Brown missed two practices this week which is cause for concern, however it sounds like he's going to play. The Cardinals No.1 receiver has been a disappointment this season making him a Flex option only in Week 12. Demercado missed last week's game which allowed Tony Jones to operate as the backup running back behind James Conner. Demercado's availability shouldn't affect Conner's value.

Cardinals RB Michael Carter is a healthy scratch for today's game vs. the Texans. Not a big surprise after he was acquired earlier this week. With RB Emari Demercado out with his toe injury, it'll be RBs Tony Jones and Keaontay Ingram behind James Conner.

The Cardinals have claimed former Jets RB Michael Carter off waivers. That gives Arizona a back who has averaged 2.4 receptions per game since he entered the league in 2021. Carter figures to work into some rushing role as well. But his greatest impact is likely to come in the passing game. The Cardinals had already favored pulling RB James Conner off the field for some passing situations, using Emari Demercado earlier this season. Week 10 found them giving the combo of Keaontay Ingram and Tony Jones Jr. nearly as many routes as Conner (13-10) in his return game. Carter brings more proven receiving ability than all of those RBs and could further cut into Conner's receiving. That doesn't doom the Arizona starter but hurts his weekly stability, especially when his team falls behind. Carter isn't likely to deliver much fantasy value the rest of the way and should be no more than a low-level PPR stash. You can drop Demercado if you haven't already. Conner remains a low-end RB2 option. Check our Week 11 RB rankings to see where he sits for the matchup with Houston.