Due to backfield injuries, the Arizona Cardinals are using No. 3 and No. 4 players. RB James Conner suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3 against the 49ers.
Additionally, backup Trey Benson suffered a knee injury in Week 4 and was placed on IR. In the fourth quarter of a Week 5 game against Tennessee, Emari DeMercado accidentally dropped the ball before crossing the goal line. This nullified a touchdown that would have given the Cardinals a three-point lead. Head coach Jonathan Gannon became enraged on the sideline and collided with DeMercado in the face. On Tuesday morning, NFL insiders reported that Gannon publicly apologized to Emari DeMercado for his sideline abuse.
Jonathan Gannon reflected on the violent sideline incident with RB Emari DeMercado
Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon apologized during Monday’s team meeting for Emari DeMercado’s reaction after the running back let go of the football before crossing the goal line for what would have been a 72-yard touchdown.
via story @joshweinfuss:https://t.co/eumfWzyUV5
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 7, 2025
Leading 21-6 in the fourth quarter of Week 5, Emari DeMercado took a handoff from Kyler Murray in his third at-bat. DeMercado broke through the line unscathed, securing a clear pass into the end zone. Despite rushing for 72 yards, Emari DeMercado made a huge mistake. The third-year pro dropped the ball before he could fully cross the goal line. The Cardinals’ touchdown was called back and the Cardinals would have led 28-6 with about 12 minutes left in the game.
According to ESPN, the team is 1,276-1 over the past 25 seasons when trailing by 22 points in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals never trailed by three points and held a 21-6 advantage. Lineman Paris Johnson Jr. was also seen consoling himself on the sideline after Emari DeMercado’s inexcusable fumble.
Also. #Cardinals RB Emari DeMercado just scored a 76-yard TD, but gave up the ball before it crossed the goal line, resulting in a touchback.
Why does this keep happening?!
— Ali Maylov (@MySportsUpdate) October 5, 2025
That’s when head coach Jonathan Gannon spotted DeMercado on the sideline and put him in charge. The 26-year-old running back gave the Cardinals a valuable touchdown in the fourth quarter. Ganon’s image was reflected in Demercado’s face, and there was a scene where he made contact with his right arm as he left. “I woke up this morning and honestly, I didn’t feel very good,” Jonathan Gannon said after reflecting on the incident.
Arizona’s head coach addressed the team on Monday and publicly apologized to running back Emari DeMercado. Joanthan Gannon said he surrendered to the moment. Gannon didn’t look too good on the sideline. With 2 wins and 3 losses, the Cardinals will have a tough second straight game. They will play the Colts on the road in Week 6 and at home against the Green Bay Packers in Week 7. Will 3 consecutive losses result in 2 wins and 5 losses?
