December 15, 2025
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Michael Wilson caught five of his 11 targets for 54 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 15 loss against the Houston Texans. Wilson continues to step up in the Cardinals' offense and produce good numbers with
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) sidelined. In four games without Harrison on the field, Wilson has seen double-digit targets in each game and has hauled in at least 10 catches in three of those games. Over the last five weeks, Wilson has seen the most targets in the NFL and has averaged 13.4 targets per game. As long as Harrison is sidelined, Wilson should be deployed as a strong WR1 option in fantasy football. Even when Harrison returns, Wilson is still a high-end WR3/flex with WR2 upside. Arizona will face a more favorable matchup in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: ESPN
December 15, 2025
Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Jacoby Brissett has quietly been putting together strong numbers since taking over as the starting QB in Week 6. Since he took over for the injured
Kyler Murray (foot), Brissett has thrown at least two touchdowns in every game except one. The 33-year-old has surpassed 300 passing yards in three of his last five contests. Brissett is posting strong numbers in this pass-heavy Cardinals offense. It has helped that the Cardinals have been playing from behind quite often, forcing Brissett to pass frequently. Fantasy managers in need of a streaming option for Week 16 should take a hard look at Brissett. He'll draw a plus matchup against the Atlanta Falcons defense this weekend. Brissett has been posting nearly top-10 QB numbers every week since he took over under center, and he is a viable option for fantasy managers in need of help.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
December 15, 2025
The Arizona Cardinals are unsure if running back
Bam Knight (ankle) will be able to play in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic. "Not sure. It's an ankle, though. He was sore today," head coach Jonathan Gannon said when asked if he expects Knight to play this week. The 24-year-old was carted off the field in Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans and is believed to be dealing with a "bad sprain." The diagnosis alone should lead fantasy managers to believe that Knight probably won't play in Week 16, especially with the Cardinals eliminated from playoff contention. It wouldn't be a surprise if Knight doesn't play in the final three weeks of the season.
James Conner (foot) and
Trey Benson (knee) are out for the season, so the backfield would be split by
Michael Carter and
Emari Demercado if Knight is unable to play against Atlanta. We should have a better idea of Knight's Week 16 status in a few days.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
December 15, 2025
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Arizona Cardinals running back
Bam Knight (ankle) is trending toward being inactive for Week 16's home game in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons. Knight was out there for just one snap in the team's 40-20 loss to the Houston Texans, handling one carry for negative two yards before injuring his ankle and being carted off the field. Schefter notes that Knight will undergo an MRI on Monday to assess the severity, although it's being described as a "bad sprain." It's good news that initial testing revealed no breaks. Either way, it seems that his chances of suiting up against the visiting Falcons are slim at best. Teammate
Michael Carter stepped up in Week 15 (14/56), with the 24-year-old unable to continue, though it's possible he splits more work with
Emari Demercado as the latter regains health from an ankle injury of his own.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
December 15, 2025
After missing three games with an ankle injury, Arizona Cardinals running back
Emari Demercado returned to the lineup in Week 15 against the Houston Texans. The 26-year-old played a minimal role against Houston, recording one scrimmage yard on three touches. However, Cardinals running back
Bam Knight (ankle) suffered an ankle injury that knocked him out of the game and required him to be carted off the field. If Knight misses further time, Demercado could step into a more prominent role in the Arizona backfield alongside
Michael Carter, who led the team with 18 touches in Week 15. Across 10 games this season, Demercado has racked up 306 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 42 touches. Before suffering the ankle injury, he had out-snapped Carter in two consecutive games. The Cardinals' backfield remains one of the league's more difficult lineup situations to parse. Still, Demercado could be a player to target on the waiver wire heading into his Week 16 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 15, 2025
The Arizona Cardinals' running back room got a little thinner after their 40-20 Week 15 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, as running back
Bam Knight (ankle) was carted off the field and did not return.
Michael Carter stepped up as the team's primary running back, and after Knight's departure, he had 78% of the backfield carry share, a 10% target share, and got the only carry inside the 10-yard line. He finished the contest with 14 carries for 56 yards (4.0 YPC) and hauled in all four of his targets for an additional 38 yards, and will have fantasy value moving forward, as he appears to be their No. 1 running back option if Knight misses any extra time and would become a must-add off the waiver wire. The Cardinals take on the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16 and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17. It will be important to monitor Knight's status, as that will determine Carter's overall value moving forward. Still,
Trey Benson (knee) was not activated from the IR on December 10, and because of that, his season is over, leaving Carter as the only healthy option at this time.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
December 14, 2025
Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Jacoby Brissett went 27-for-40 for 249 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in his team's 40-20 Week 15 loss to the Houston Texans. Brissett also had three carries for six yards on the ground. Arizona's pass-happy offense continues to allow Brissett to post solid numbers week in and week out. The 33-year-old veteran has now thrown at least two touchdown passes in his last eight of nine games. Brissett has also thrown at least 40 passing attempts in his last six games and has thrown over 245 yards in every game he has started this season. If the Cardinals continue to play in pass-heavy game scripts, Brissett profiles as a viable starting fantasy quarterback for the remainder of the season. Arizona will host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: ESPN
December 14, 2025
Arizona Cardinals tight end
Trey McBride had a historic day in the Week 15 loss against the Houston Texans, recording 12 catches for 134 yards with two touchdowns on 13 targets. McBride became the first tight end in NFL history with at least 100 receptions in consecutive seasons, and set a new NFL record for most consecutive games, 16, with at least five receptions.
Travis Kelce had previously set the record in 2018 with 15 straight games, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. McBride's Week 15 performance is further magnified by his dominance against one of the best defenses in the NFL, highlighting his historic play in 2025. The 26-year-old has now hauled in 105 receptions for 1,071 yards and 10 touchdowns on 140 targets across 14 games this season. As long as McBride remains healthy, he profiles as the number one tight end in fantasy football by a healthy margin. Arizona will host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: Josh Weinfuss
December 14, 2025
According to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com, Arizona Cardinals running back
Bam Knight (ankle) will not return to the Week 15 road outing against the Houston Texans due to an ankle injury. Knight was initially deemed questionable to re-enter the game after he was carted off early on with an ankle injury. However, he'll now miss the remainder of the contest after recording a loss of two yards on his lone carry. Backfield mate
Michael Carter has taken over lead rushing duties in the 24-year-old's stead, and he figures to get the bulk of the work this afternoon, considering teammate
Emari Demercado entered the game with an ankle issue of his own. Depending on the severity of Knight's ailment, Carter could be a hot waiver add over the week ahead.
--Alex CiullaSource: Darren Urban
December 14, 2025
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Andre Baccellia (neck) has been ruled out for the remainder of his team's Week 15 matchup against the Houston Texans due to a neck injury. ESPN's Josh Weinfuss reports that the 28-year-old has full movement of all his extremities and is headed to a Houston hospital for further evaluation. Baccellia did not earn a target or a reception before exiting the game. The Cardinals entered the week already missing wide receivers
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel),
Xavier Weaver (hamstring), and
Greg Dortch (chest), so the team is now even more short-handed at the position. Cardinals wide receiver
Michael Wilson and tight end
Trey McBride will likely continue to dominate from a target perspective, while wideouts
Jalen Brooks and
Trent Sherfield Sr. could both see more playing time.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Josh Weinfuss
December 14, 2025
The Arizona Cardinals said running back
Bam Knight (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Houston Texans after departing due to an ankle injury. The fourth-year pro was carted off, just the latest in a brutal season for the Cardinals. Quarterback
Kyler Murray (foot), running back
James Conner (foot), and running back
Trey Benson (knee) are already out for the season, while 2024 first-round pick
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) is out today for the fourth time in five weeks. If Knight is unable to return Sunday, the Cards likely will lean on the tandem of
Michael Carter and
Emari Demercado (ankle), the latter of whom was questionable for the game but is active.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Darren Urban
December 14, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Emari Demercado (ankle) is officially active for Sunday's Week 15 contest against the Houston Texans. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction ahead of kickoff. The 26-year-old is returning from a three-game absence and will likely join a three-man backfield rotation that also features
Michael Carter and
Bam Knight. Carter is the early favorite to lead Arizona's backfield on Sunday, as he's played more than half of the team's offensive snaps over the last four weeks. He also has a total of 15 catches during those four games, establishing himself as a reliable option in PPR leagues. Demercado, on the other hand, will need to earn his way back into a consistent role after missing time. He's not a dependable fantasy option at the moment.
--Andersen PickardSource: Bo Brack
December 14, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Emari Demercado (ankle) currently carries a questionable tag into Sunday's Week 15 matchup against the Houston Texans. According to Adam Schefter, Demercado is expected to make his return to the field after missing the last three games with an ankle injury. His return to the mix would make for a messy situation in the backfield. Demercado figures to immediately have a significant role, which should reduce the playing time of
Bam Knight and
Michael Carter. This is already an unfavorable matchup against a Texans defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards this season. If Demercado is active, fantasy managers should view him on the lower end of the FLEX radar in deep leagues.
--Andy WebbSource: Adam Schefter
December 13, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Emari Demercado (ankle) is questionable ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Houston Texans. Demercado was a limited participant in all three practices this week, which is a positive sign that he will suit up on Sunday. The 26-year-old has been sidelined for the last three weeks due to an ankle injury he sustained during Week 11 against the San Francisco 49ers. If Demercado can play, he will likely slide back into his RB2 role as the primary pass-catching back and compete for carries with
Michael Carter and
Bam Knight. Entering Week 15, Demercado will face a stout Texans defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest receptions and the fifth-fewest rushing yards this season. In a difficult matchup, Demercado should remain out of fantasy lineups in Week 15. Fantasy managers should view him as a wait-and-see fantasy option in Sunday's game to determine if he can be inserted back into fantasy lineups for Week 16 and beyond.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: Josh Weinfuss
December 13, 2025
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Andre Baccellia is coming off season highs in targets and routes run in Week 14. The 28-year-old had to step into an expanded role and might be asked to fill a bigger role in the offense on Sunday. The Cardinals will be without
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel),
Greg Dortch (chest), and
Xavier Weaver (hamstring) in Week 15. With a depleted receiving core, Baccellia will slide into the WR2 role in the offense. Entering Week 15, Baccellia will face a stout Houston Texans defense. The Texans' defense has allowed the fewest receiving touchdowns and the fourth-fewest receptions this season. The Cardinals' offense has funneled the majority of their targets to
Trey McBride and
Michael Wilson over the last few weeks. In the last three games Harrison has missed, McBride and Wilson have been targeted on just over 52 percent of
Jacoby Brissett's passing attempts. Despite an expanded role, Baccellia will be a desperation flex option in deeper leagues for fantasy managers.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: Zach Gershman
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