When the Cardinals lost Trey Benson after losing James Conner, the question was how the Cardinals were going to distribute the snaps (and touches) to the balance of the running back room. Sunday's game against the Titans provided some answers.

Michael Carter, who actually had mentioned he would be starting last week almost off-handedly, did indeed start and got the bulk of the work. Carter was in for 39 of the 68 offensive snaps, and finished with 18 rushing attempts (for 51 yards) and five receptions (for 22 yards). Third-down back Emari Demercado played 19 snaps, and had three carries (for 81 yards). Bam Knight played his first offensive snaps of the season -- 11 in all -- and had four carries (11 yards, one touchdown) along with a reception (13 yards).

We will see if Demercado's mistake on his fumble will impact his playing time at all. Jonathan Gannon stressed one play did not determine the outcome, and Demercado talked about having to move on quickly.

Guard Will Hernandez made his season debut on what looked like a pitch count; his first action in a year covered 23 snaps over the first four possessions following his ACL rehab, until Jon Gaines came in for relief. Gaines ended up playing 45 snaps, almost double the offensive snaps (23) he had played in his entire career up until that point.

At receiver, Zay Jones played 34 snaps, his season-high, while Greg Dortch played a season-low five snaps.

Like Hernandez, defensive lineman Bilal Nichols also played for the first time in nearly a year; he got 21 snaps.

It was interesting to see how the cornerback snaps were doled out with Will Johnson returning and Max Melton sitting after a late-week hamstring issue. Kei'Trel Clark played 65 snaps after playing 61 combined the previous two games. Johnson was in for 55. Denzel Burke, who had been splitting time with Clark, played on 10 snaps.