In Week 14 of the NFL season, the Arizona Cardinals were dominated by the Los Angeles Rams, falling 45-17. It was the fifth loss in a row for the Cardinals as a dreadful 2025 season continues.
In Week 15, the Cardinals are preparing to take on the Houston Texans. Here’s an update on the injury status of some of the team’s key contributors ahead of the matchup.
What Key Contributors are Injured for the Buffalo Bills?
On the team’s injury report, eight players are listed who could potentially affect the next game.
Here’s how the report stands:
1) Marvin Harrison Jr.
Harrison returned to the lineup in Week 13 following an appendectomy, but the receiver suffered a heel injury upon returning that kept him out in Week 14.
Harrison didn’t practice at all last week, so any form of participation this week has to be looked at a positive. The Cardinals are out of playoff contention, so there’s no reason to rush Harrison back before he’s fully healthy.
2) Paris Johnson Jr.
Johnson has started 12 out of 13 games at left tackle for the Cardinals in 2025. The tackle has earned a solid 74.1 grade from PFSN’s OL Impact ranking so far.
Unfortunately, Johnson suffered a sprained MCL in Week 14 and is expected to miss some time. It would thus seem very unlikely that Johnson will play this weekend, and the team will likely turn to rookie Josh Fryar.
3) Walter Nolen III
Nolen was expected to be a key contributor on the defensive line, but multiple injuries have limited his playing time to just four games. Nolen’s latest ailment is a knee injury suffered in Week 12, and he hasn’t played since.
It will be interesting to see if Nolen can practice this week. Like Harrison, any participation at all would be a good sign. Nolen did not practice at all last week.
4) Evan Brown
Evan Brown has started 11 games at left guard for the Cardinals in 2025. The veteran has earned a 69.3 grade from PFSN’s OL Impact ranking so far.
Brown was unable to play in Week 14 due to “personal reasons,” so there’s no reason to think he shouldn’t be ready for Week 15. It’s at least positive that Brown isn’t dealing with an injury.
5) Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
Taylor-Demerson missed his fourth consecutive game in Week 14 due to an ankle injury. The second-year defender has collected 36 tackles, five pass deflections, and two interceptions in nine games played.
Taylor-Demerson was unable to practice last week, so we’ll have to see what his participation is like this week.
6) Max Melton
Melton hasn’t played since Week 12 due to a heel injury. The corner managed some limited practices ahead of Week 13, but it seems like a setback may have occurred because he didn’t practice or play in Week 14.
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Melton’s injury is similar to Harrison’s, and we’ll have to see if he’s able to participate at all this week.
7) Trey Benson
Benson has not played since Week 4, and he recently got a disappointing update. The running back is nearing the end of his 21-day practice window, but now it’s thought that he could miss the rest of the season.
If Benson isn’t activated this week, he can’t play again in 2025. Don’t expect the Florida State product to be on the field against the Texans.
8) Emari Demercado
Demercado hasn’t played since Week 11 due to an ankle injury. The running back did not practice last Friday, so we’ll have to see if he returns in a limited capacity on Wednesday.
It’s probably safe to assume neither Demercado nor Benson will be leading the Cardinals’ ground game in Week 15.
