Cardinals place P Blake Gillikin, RB Emari Demercado on IR

On By Online Niel

Cardinals starting shortstop Blake Gillikin and shortstop Emari Demercado have been placed on injured reserve and will miss the remainder of the 2024 regular season, the team announced Saturday.

In a corresponding move, Arizona upped the ante Michael Palardy to the active list.

Gillikin started just one snap in last week’s 30-18 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, leaving with an ankle injury. The fifth-year pro didn’t practice Wednesday through Friday.

Gillikin had not missed any of Arizona’s 13 games this season, averaging 49.7 yards on 38 punts, including 19 completions inside the 20-yard line.

Like Gillikin, second-year quarterback Demercado didn’t suit up for a single practice this week, dealing with a back injury.

In 13 games, Demercado, who plays behind James Conner and Trey Benson, carried the ball 24 times for 223 yards and a touchdown against the Chicago Bears. He also had 16 catches (20 targets) for 104 yards.

No corresponding move has been made to address the loss of Demercado on Saturday.

Palardy is in his ninth NFL season after spending four seasons with the Carolina Panthers (2016-20) and smaller stints with three other teams before being activated in Arizona. He was most recently with the Washington Commanders in a practice squad role last season.

The 32-year-old from Tennessee last saw competitive NFL action in 2022 with the New England Patriots. In eight games, Palardy averaged 42.4 yards on 42 punts and had 10 inside the 20-yard line.

Listen to Cardinals-Patriots play-by-play at 2:25 p.m. Sunday on 98.7, Arizona Sports.com and the Arizona Sports app. Pre-match coverage begins at 9:30am