Now, the Cardinals will have to shuffle the deck again. Traditional third-down back Emari Demercado is the next man up, with former Jets fourth-round pick Michael Carter and Zonovan “Bam” Knight also available. Arizona also added Jermar Jefferson to the practice squad on Wednesday.
“It’s never about one guy to me,” Gannon said Wednesday. “Everyone’s got to do their job at a high level, got to coach and play good. Real comfortable with the guys that are assuming the role.”
Understandably, the loss of Benson will inspire new questions about the viability of a Cardinals offense that has struggled to find consistency. Demercado’s versatility will be tested, and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will likely need to lean on every back available.
“I don’t know,” Gannon said when asked if Demercado could handle the job on all three downs. “We’ll see how kinda the week goes, but we obviously know we’ve got to pick up that role. But feel good about Bam and Emari and Mike Carter. I’m sure all three of them will play.”
