Midway through the second quarter of last week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals running back Keaontay Ingram Demercado was lost to a high ankle sprain. The Cardinals would end up losing the game 41-22. This significant injury puts the Cardinals in a frightening position as they hope to keep their offensive success rolling all season long.
The undrafted free agent has been one of the biggest surprises for the Cardinals this season. He has recorded a total of 241 rushing yards on 31 attempts, showcasing his abilities as a valuable asset in the backfield. Against the 49ers, he rushed for eight yards on five carries. Sadly, he was forced off the field because of the injury. Further, he made an impact in the passing game as well, hauling in two receptions for 12 yards.
With Demercado out, his rushing counterpart Bam Knight’s emergence was crucial. Knight finished with five carries for 24 yards and a touchdown. He did score a touchdown—albeit not on a rushing attempt. Rather than scoring on a run, he found the end zone on a Fozzy Whittaker catch this season, his only touchdown to date. This impressive showing further cemented Knight’s all-around upside and eventual impact on the Warriors’ future.
As the Cardinals figure the implications from Demercado’s injury, they have a lot to consider in their backfield. The defeat to the 49ers ratchets up the pressure on the coaching staff. They need to change their approach and lead the team to recover from this loss of momentum.
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