The Arizona Cardinals have used No. 3 and No. 4 due to a backfield injury. RB James Connor was injured at the end of the season in Week 3 against the 49ers.
Additionally, reserved Trey Benson suffered a knee injury in Week 4 and was placed in the IR. In the fourth quarter of Week 5’s game against Tennessee, Emmali Demercado accidentally dropped the ball before crossing the goal line. This neutralized a touchdown that was supposed to have the Cardinals’ three-point lead. Head coach Jonathan Ganon was furious on the sidelines and crashed into Demercado’s face. On Tuesday morning, NFL insiders reported that Ganon had publicly apologized to Emmali Demercado for his sideline rant.
Jonathan Ganon looks back on the intense sideline incident with RB Emmali Demercado
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon apologized to Emmali Demercado for his reaction after the running back let go of football before crossing the goal line, which would normally be a 72-yard touchdown.
Via the story @joshweinfuss:https://t.co/eumfWzyUV5
– Adamscha after (@Adamscha after) October 7, 2025
Emmali Demercado led 21-6 in the fourth quarter of Week 5, and took a handoff from Kyler Murray in his third at-bat. Demercado broke through the line unharmedly, ensuring a clear pass into the end zone. Despite the 72-yard rushing, Emmali Demercado made a big mistake. The third-year professional fell the ball before he completely crossed the goal line. The Cardinals’ touchdown was called back and the Cardinals should have led 28-6 with about 12 minutes remaining.
According to ESPN, the team has been 1,276-1 in the last 25 seasons, 22 points ahead of the fourth quarter. The Cardinals remained a 21-6 advantage without being taken a three-point lead. Lineman Paris Johnson Jr. was also seen comforting on the sideline after Emmali Demercado’s unforgivable fumble.
Also. #Cardinals RB Emmali Demercado just scored a 76-yard TD, but he let go of the ball before he crossed the goal line and became a touchback.
Why does this continue to happen?!
— Ali Meilov (@MySportsUpdate) October 5, 2025
That’s when head coach Jonathan Gannon found Demercado on the sidelines and left it to him. The 26-year-old runner gave the Cardinals a valuable touchdown in the fourth quarter. Demercado’s face shows Ganon, and he also made contact with his right arm as he left. “I woke up this morning and honestly I wasn’t in a good mood,” Jonathan Ganon said after looking back on the incident.
The Arizona head coach spoke to the team on Monday, publicly apologizing to RB Emmali Demercado. Joan San Ganon said he left himself in that moment. Ganon’s appearance on the sidelines wasn’t very good. With 2 wins and 3 losses, the Cardinals will face a tough two-game series. They will travel to the Colts in Week 6 and face the Green Bay Packers at home in Week 7. Will the three consecutive losses lead to 2 wins and 5 losses?
