The Arizona Cardinals have added much-needed running back depth for Sunday’s tilt against the Los Angeles Rams. Arizona has promoted veteran running back and Super Bowl champion Damien Williams off the practice squad for their Week 6 contest.
Shorthanded at RB, the Cardinals promoted veteran RB Damien Williams off their practice squad for Sunday’s game vs. the Rams.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 14, 2023
The Cardinals will be without starting running back James Conner after the two-time Pro-Bowler got placed on the injured reserve with a knee injury. Conner was amid a fantastic age-28 season, rushing for 364 yards and two scores in five games. He added eight receptions for 30 yards through the air.
Arizona Cardinals Running Back Room Ahead of Week 6
The Cardinals will have four active running backs in Week 6. Former sixth-round pick Keaontay Ingram and rookie Emari Demercado figure to handle much of the workload the injured James Conner leaves behind. Ingram, a second-year pro from the University of Florida, has missed the past few games with a neck injury but will be active for Sunday’s contest. The 24-year-old has brutal NFL numbers, rushing for 75 yards on 39 carries. He also has five catches for 29 yards out of the backfield.
Meanwhile, Demercado filled in for the Conner in last Sunday’s loss against the Cincinnati Bengals. The TCU product did well, taking ten carriers for 45 yards and a touchdown. He also caught one of three targets for 12 yards. Demercado, an undrafted rookie pickup by the Arizona Cardinals this offseason, totaled 681 rushing yards and five touchdowns for the 13-2 Horned Frogs in 2022.
Damien Williams Provides Cardinals with Veteran Presence
Adding Damien Williams will provide the Arizona Cardinals with two veteran options behind Keaontay Ingram and rookie Emari Demercado. Williams played for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 but had just two rushing attempts. However, the 31-year-old is just four seasons removed from being the lead back for the Kansas City Chiefs during their title run in 2019. Williams was instrumental in the playoffs, rushing for 65 yards per game and tallying four touchdowns.
The Cardinals will also have Tony Jones Jr. available against the Rams. Arizona claimed Jones off waivers from the New Orleans Saints earlier this month. Jones had 21 carriers for 70 yards in four games with the Saints before his release.