Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado was evaluated for a concussion and was cleared but was out against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a neck injury, per the team.
Demercado went down during the Cardinals’ second drive of the afternoon after linebacker Elandon Roberts hit him on third down.
According to the TV broadcast, Demercado entered the blue tent before being taken to the locker room.
The Cardinals lost Demercado in the strike, but kept the drive alive for center fielder Kyler Murray and company.
Roberts was flagged for unnecessary roughness on Demercado, giving Arizona a new set of plays that allowed the Cardinals to get into position for a 51-yard field goal from Matt Prater.
This season (nine games), Demercado has rushed for 210 yards and a touchdown on 52 carries. He also caught 12 of 16 targets for 64 yards through the air.
With Demercado’s return questionable, the Cardinals will turn to Michael Carter to pick up the slack behind rookie James Conner at third and in pass protection.
Carter, who was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets on Nov. 15, is playing in just his second game as a Cardinal after rushing for 19 yards on four carries in Arizona’s 37-14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last week.
Pittsburgh also dealt with injury issues of its own, as quarterback Kenny Pickett went down in the red zone midway through the second quarter with an ankle issue. It is doubtful that he will return.
Backup QB Mitch Trubisky filled in for Pickett as the rookie was further evaluated in the blue medical tent before heading to the locker room.
Roberts, who took the hit on Demercado, also suffered a bump later in the second quarter and was out for the rest of the game.
You can follow the rest of the Cardinals-Steelers on the Arizona Sports app, 98.7 or ArizonaSports.com.
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