The Arizona Cardinals will be without running back James Conner for a minimum of the next four games after being placed on injured reserve (IR). With Conner out of the lineup for the next month, which running back in the Arizona backfield is the best starting option for your fantasy football team in Week 6?
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Emari Demercado’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Emari Demercado was a popular waiver wire add in fantasy football leagues this week. It is definitely reasonable for managers to run to the waiver wire to add him after he dominated the work once Conner left the game with an injury.
Demercado proved to be a capable back during his days at TCU and looked good with his first real opportunity as a leading man in the NFL.
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Demercado produced 57 total yards and a score on 11 total touches against the Cincinnati Bengals and could see an expanded role in the immediate future while Conner is on IR.
He is currently the most healthy option the Cardinals have at the position. He currently sits just inside the top 30 in my weekly rankings at the RB position while we get further clarification on another Cardinals back seeking more work.
Keaontay Ingram’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Keaontay Ingram has missed the last two games while dealing with a neck injury. However, he managed to get back on the practice field in a limited fashion, which has him trending in the right direction for returning to the field in Week 6.
And that certainly comes into play, because Ingram actually out-touched Demercado 13 to five through the first three weeks of the season.
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If Ingram continues to practice heading into the weekend, he certainly could play a big factor in the Cardinals’ rushing attack against the Rams.
Which of the Cardinals’ RBs Should You Start?
As of this moment, Demercado is ranked higher because he feels like the safer fantasy play this week with his effectiveness last week, his pass-catching skill set, and health heading into this contest.
If Ingram is active, both players will drop outside of the top 35 at the running back position because a time split could drastically limit both players’ ceiling in a below-average offensive unit.
If Ingram is inactive, I feel a bit more comfortable starting Demercado as a Flex option in Week 6.