Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado has been diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain and is unlikely to play against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, ESPN reported Tuesday.
Demercado sustained the injury in Arizona’s 41-22 loss to the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday.
Fellow running back Trey Benson likely will return from injured reserve for the Cardinals (3-7), who also have Bam Knight and Michael Carter in the backfield.
Demercado, 26, has rushed 31 times for 241 yards (7.8 yards per carry) in nine games this season to go along with eight catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.
Benson was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 1 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his meniscus. He sustained a knee injury toward the end of Arizona’s 23-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 25.
The Cardinals’ rushing game has taken considerable hits this season, notably the loss of two-time Pro Bowl running back James Conner to a campaign-ending foot injury on Sept. 21.
Benson, 23, has rushed for 160 yards and is averaging 5.5 yards per carry He also has 13 receptions for 64 yards.
