December 5, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Emari Demercado (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of the Week 14 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. There was some hope that Demercado would return this weekend after getting in two limited practice sessions. Unfortunately, Demercado sat out of Friday's practice and will be held out for a third straight game due to an ankle sprain. His absence has opened up more playing time for both
Bam Knight and
Michael Carter, with
Trey Benson (knee) still on Injured Reserve. Between the two, Knight is the better streaming choice for Sunday's slate in a tough matchup against L.A. Knight has found the end zone in three straight games. The 24-year-old should be considered a solid low-upside flex play against the Rams. Demerado has a limited path to fantasy relevance in PPR leagues the rest of the way, but only if Benson stays on IR.
--Andy WebbSource: Josh Weinfuss
December 5, 2025
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Greg Dortch (chest) has been ruled out for the Week 14 game on Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. The Cardinals will also be without receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) for the third time in the last four games, and running back
Trey Benson (knee) won't return from Injured Reserve. With both Harrison and Dortch out this weekend,
Michael Wilson and tight end
Trey McBride should see heavy target shares in a game where the Cardinals will likely be forced to pass often. Receivers
Xavier Weaver and
Andre Baccellia will also have expanded roles behind Wilson. Dortch had 12 catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns with Harrison out in Weeks 11 and 12, but he caught only two passes for 14 yards with Harrison back last week. His Week 15 fantasy value will depend on his health and whether Harrison can play as well.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
December 5, 2025
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said on Friday that quarterback
Kyler Murray (foot) will not return this year after recent tests on his injured foot showed that he is not progressing, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. When asked whether Murray will be the team's starting QB in 2026, Gannon said, "I'm focused on the Rams." The Cardinals are out of the playoff picture, and veteran QB
Jacoby Brissett has played much better than Murray did before he sprained his foot back in Week 5. It's uncertain if Murray will need surgery on his injured foot, but either way, it's clear that the 28-year-old signal-caller's future in the desert is very tenuous. The former first overall pick back in 2019 out of Oklahoma is one of the most talented rushing QBs when healthy, but he hasn't progressed enough as a passer and will finish 2025 with 962 passing yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions in five games played. Murray added 173 rushing yards and a TD on 29 carries.
--Keith HernandezSource: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
December 5, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Trey Benson (knee) will not come off Injured Reserve to play this Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in Week 14, AZCardinals.com's Darren Urban reports. Head coach Jonathan Gannon acknowledged that he doesn't know if Benson will return this season. The writing was on the wall for Benson to miss yet another game after he missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but it's pretty surprising that he could miss the rest of the season after it looked like he was on the cusp of a return. It's very possible that the 23-year-old second-year RB suffered a setback with his surgically repaired knee while ramping up for a return.
Emari Demercado could make his return from an ankle injury in Week 14, but fantasy managers in need of RB help might want to scoop up
Bam Knight right away. Knight is rostered in 33% of Yahoo leagues and should continue to see most of the backfield opportunities in Arizona if Benson remains out.
--Keith HernandezSource: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
December 5, 2025
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) will not play on Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in Week 14, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. Harrison missed Weeks 11 and 12 following an appendectomy, but he returned in last week's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to catch six of his seven targets for 69 yards before injuring his heel. The 23-year-old former fourth overall pick in 2024 out of Ohio State will miss another game this weekend, continuing his frustrating season for his fantasy managers.
Greg Dortch (chest) hasn't practiced this week, either, and could also be held out, which would make
Michael Wilson a must-start in all fantasy formats despite the tough matchup against L.A. In Weeks 11 and 12 with Harrison out, Wilson had an eye-opening 25 catches (33 targets) for 303 yards. Harrison's next chance to return will be in Week 15 against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 14.
--Keith HernandezSource: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
December 5, 2025
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Michael Wilson went off in a two-game stretch across Weeks 11 and 12, recording 25 catches for 303 yards on 33 targets. Wilson's production was buoyed by the absence of Cardinals WR1
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel), who missed those games after undergoing an appendectomy. Harrison Jr. returned to the field in Week 13, and Wilson recorded just three catches for 36 yards on seven targets. However, Harrison Jr. has yet to practice this week heading into the team's Week 14 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams due to a heel injury. If Harrison Jr. goes back on the shelf, Wilson could re-emerge as Arizona's lead wide receiver. The Cardinals are averaging 48.6 pass attempts per game over the last three weeks, so Wilson could be a good bet to see double-digit targets and profiles as a must-start fantasy wide receiver for as long as Harrison Jr. is sidelined.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 5, 2025
Since taking over for the injured
Kyler Murray (foot) in Week 6, Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Jacoby Brissett has been consistently productive. Across seven starts, the 32-year-old has completed 67.8% of his pass attempts for 2,188 yards, 13 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Brissett has thrown for at least 250 yards in every start and topped 300 yards passing in three straight games heading into his Week 14 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Arizona's pass-happy approach buoys Brissett's production. He's averaging 43 pass attempts per start overall and 48.6 per game over the last three weeks. Arizona figures to be chasing points once again on Sunday against the Rams, which could lead to another high-volume day for Brissett. Additionally, Murray's return timeline remains murky, as the team has not yet opened his 21-day Injured Reserve activation window. Brissett profiles as a low-end fantasy QB1 for as long as he remains the starter in Arizona.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 4, 2025
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Greg Dortch (chest) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Thursday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Dortch apparently suffered a chest injury in last week's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is firmly in danger of missing the Week 14 contest this Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. In addition to Dortch,
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) looks iffy to play this weekend as well, which would leave
Michael Wilson as the target hog once again in Arizona's passing game.
Xavier Weaver and
Andre Baccellia would be included in the starting lineup if both Dortch and Harrison are ruled out. Dortch is extremely hard to trust when he's the WR3 for the Cardinals, but he did deliver fantasy-relevant numbers in the two games that Harrison missed after having an appendectomy in Weeks 11 and 12, catching 12 of 15 targets for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
December 4, 2025
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) was not seen at the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday, according to Arizona Sports' Tyler Drake. Both Harrison and
Greg Dortch (chest) have not practiced this week, so the Cardinals could be missing two of their top wideouts in Week 14 against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. The 23-year-old Harrison missed Weeks 11 and 12 following an appendectomy, but he returned last weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to catch six of his seven targets for 69 yards. He'll have one more chance to practice on Friday. If both Harrison and Dortch aren't cleared to face the Rams,
Michael Wilson will pretty much be a lock for double-digit targets in the passing game, and tight end
Trey McBride will also have an incredibly high ceiling. Receivers
Xavier Weaver and
Andre Baccellia would be in line for a boost in snaps as well.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
December 4, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Trey Benson (knee) was not seen practicing in the portion open to the media on Thursday, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. Benson has now missed five straight practices, dating back to last week, making it more unlikely that he comes off Injured Reserve to play this Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. If the 23-year-old second-year RB misses yet another game,
Bam Knight figures to once again do most of the heavy lifting after he had 11 carries for a season-high 62 yards while adding three catches for a season-high 36 yards and a touchdown in the Week 13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Emari Demercado (ankle) is trending in the right direction to return this weekend, though, so he could steal valuable backfield touches from Knight. Benson should be stashed in all fantasy football leagues, but he's running out of time to contribute with the fantasy playoffs looming.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
December 4, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Bam Knight had his most productive game of the season in Week 13, totaling 98 scrimmage yards and a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Injuries have decimated the Cardinals' running back room, including starter
James Conner (leg), primary backup
Trey Benson (knee), and
Emari Demercado (ankle), which has forced Knight to step up. With Benson still not practicing ahead of Week 14's game against the Los Angeles Rams, Knight may have to carry the workload again. A tough matchup is on deck for the Cardinals, as they face a Rams defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Benson's status, as Knight could be a solid FLEX play despite the tough matchup in Week 14.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 3, 2025
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Greg Dortch (chest) was a non-participant during Wednesday's practice session. Dortch joined fellow wideout
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) on the injury report to begin Week 14. The 27-year-old gave fantasy managers a dud last week after two straight strong performances when Harrison was sidelined following an appendectomy. Dortch hauled in 12 receptions for 119 yards and two touchdowns while Harrison missed two games due to injury. Last week, Dortch was held to two receptions for 14 yards with Harrison back on the field. If Dortch and Harrison are unable to play in Week 14,
Xavier Weaver figures to see increased playing time. The second-year wideout has been a non-factor in fantasy leagues to this point. If both Dortch and Harrison are out,
Michael Wilson will likely handle as many targets as he can.
--Andy WebbSource: azcardinals.com
December 3, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Emari Demercado (ankle) returned to practice on Wednesday, according to Dani Sureck of AZCardinals.com. Demercado missed the past two games due to a high-ankle sprain, but he is trending in the right direction to suit up in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. With
Trey Benson (knee) still on Injured Reserve and seemingly not making much progress after missing Wednesday's practice, Demercado could have a key role if he his able to return on Sunday.
Bam Knight and
Michael Carter have split the backfield duties in his absence, but Demercado has been their most dynamic back, averaging 7.8 yards per tote on 31 carries this season. We should know more about Demercado's status for Sunday in the next two days.
UPDATE: Demercado was limited in Wednesday's practice.--Kyle McCarthySource: Dani Sureck
December 3, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Trey Benson (knee), who remains on Injured Reserve, is not practicing on Wednesday, according to The Arizona Republic's Theo Mackie. Benson had his 21-day practice window opened two weeks ago, but this will be his third straight missed practice since last week, which doesn't bode well for him making his return in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. The 23-year-old second-year back has been sidelined since Week 4 after undergoing knee surgery. Benson figures to be Arizona's lead back when he finally returns, which makes him stash-worthy in all fantasy football leagues, but he'll also be a pretty shaky play in his first game back. If Benson makes it back onto the practice field this week and gets clear to play this weekend, fantasy managers should expect him to be eased back into the offense alongside
Bam Knight.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
December 3, 2025
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) is not practicing on Wednesday, according to Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic. Harrison made his return in last Sunday's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after missing two games following an appendectomy, but he picked up a heel injury late in the game and is now in danger of missing more time. It's extremely frustrating for Harrison's fantasy managers, especially since he had a solid game with six catches for 69 yards on seven targets in his return. The 23-year-old former first-rounder still has two more days to return to practice, but a DNP to start the week is an ominous sign. Fantasy managers need to have a backup plan at the ready. If Harrison misses another game in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams,
Michael Wilson would be in line for another massive workload in what will likely be a pass-heavy game script against L.A.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
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