Cardinals RB Trey Benson (knee) has been designated to return from IR. That means he'll practice this week, although it's still unclear if Benson will play vs. the Jaguars this weekend. HC Johnathan Gannon said Wednesday that Benson will be evaluated "day by day" this week. We'll keep you updated on his status. Benson should take over as Arizona's lead back once he's cleared to play. RB Emari Demercado (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 12.

RB Emari Demercado led the Cardinals in rushing yards for the second straight week in Sunday's loss to Seattle. But nearly all of his ground production came on a single 55-yard run early in the fourth quarter of the blowout defeat. Demercado logged just four total carries, trailing Bam Knight's team lead (10) and leading Michael Carter by just one. WR Greg Dortch scored the team's only rushing TD, from 4 yards out in the second quarter.

The Cardinals released RB Michael Carter. He led the backfield just a few weeks ago but fell behind RB Bam Knight in Arizona's last two games. Carter's departure leaves Knight and Emari Demercado as the only healthy RBs on the Cardinals' active roster. We'll see if the team makes another move this week, but Knight now projects to control carries in a plus matchup vs. the Cowboys next Monday night. RB Trey Benson is eligible to return for Week 10.

The Cardinals have announced that RB Trey Benson will hit IR for the knee injury he suffered late in Week 4. That announcement comes just after we learned the RB's Week 5 status was "in question" and knocks him out for at least four games.

Update: Benson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his meniscus and is expected to be out for four to six weeks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Arizona has a Week 8 bye, so it's still possible that Benson only misses four games.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Cardinals RB Trey Benson is "in question" for Sunday's game vs. the Titans due to a knee injury suffered in Week 4. "Near the end of last Thursday’s game vs. the Seahawks, Benson banged his knee. It is not thought to be serious, but his status for Sunday now is in question," Schefter said. Benson did not participate in Monday's practice. We'll keep you updated on his status over the next few days. His absence would leave Arizona's backfield to RBs Emari Demercado and Michael Carter. Demercado would handle most of the passing-down snaps, but Carter would likely play plenty on early downs.

Cardinals RB Trey Benson did not participate in Monday's practice. There was no report of an injury before or after Thursday night's loss to the Rams, but HC Jonathan Gannon said Monday that they're taking it "day by day" with Benson. We'll look for more info on his status and get Arizona's first official practice report of the week on Wednesday. Benson's absence would leave RBs Michael Carter and Emari Demercado likely forming a committee. Neither would be an exciting fantasy play.

Cardinals RB Trey Benson carried eight times for 35 yards and caught five balls for 19 more in Thursday night's game vs. the Seahawks, the first this season without RB James Conner. Arizona went pass-heavy in this one, finishing the game with 41 pass attempts vs. just 12 non-QB runs. Benson looked good when he got the rock, averaging 4.4 yards per carry against a stout run defense. And he drew five targets for a nice 12.2% share. But he lost the majority of obvious passing-down snaps to RB Emari Demercado. Per Pro Football Focus, Demercado out-snapped Benson seven to one on third downs. Demercado also played 16 of the 17 snaps in the two-minute offense, with RB Michael Carter getting the other.

The Cardinals believe RB James Conner's right ankle injury is season-ending, although that prognosis isn't yet official, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. It certainly looked like a season-ender when Conner had to be carted off the field in the loss to the 49ers. We should get final confirmation on Monday.

Update: ESPN's Adam Schefter now confirms that Conner will need season-ending surgery. "The injury is considered 'severe,' even if the team does not yet know the full extent of the damage," Schefter adds.

Cardinals RB James Conner was carted off in the third quarter of Sunday's game vs. the 49ers. The injury was gruesome enough that the broadcast did not show the replay. We'll update Conner's status when we know more, but this looks like a season-ender. That'd turn Trey Benson into Arizona's clear lead back and fantasy starter.

Update: Conner has been ruled out with an ankle injury.

Cardinals RB Trey Benson was more involved than expected in Sunday's season-opening win over the Saints. He finished with eight carries and one target, while RB James Conner tallied 12 carries and four targets. Benson finished with 69 yards on his eight totes -- although 52 of those yards came on one run. He averaged just 2.4 yards per carry on his other seven carries. Conner also found little room to run, averaging 3.3 yards on his 12 attempts. He saved his fantasy day with a four-yard receiving score on a shovel pass in the second quarter.

"Absolutely." That was Cardinals OC Drew Petzing's response when asked Monday whether RB James Conner is still the team's workhorse. "I think James has proven that over the last couple years," Petzing added. "Just the way he carries the ball and what he brings to the offense. I think that’s always gonna be the case.”

Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon said RB James Conner is "getting himself ready to carry the load for us."

Cardinals RB Trey Benson has been placed on Injured Reserve with an ankle injury, so he will not be playing in Week 18. With RB James Conner battling a knee injury, Benson had a chance to start and potentially go off heading into the 2025 season. Instead, Michael Carter will likely start if Conner is out.

Cardinals RB James Conner (knee) is active for tonight’s game vs. the Rams. RB Trey Benson (ankle) is inactive, leaving RBs Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas behind Conner. Conner was limited in practice all week and listed as questionable after hurting his knee six days ago. He won’t be at 100% tonight and could have his touches scaled back with the Cardinals eliminated from postseason contention. Check your Team Intel page to see if Conner belongs in your starting lineup.

The Cardinals expect RB James Conner (knee) to play vs. the Rams on Saturday night, according to Amazon's Albert Breer. RB Trey Benson (ankle) remains "up in the air," Breer added. Conner got in three limited practices this week and is listed as questionable. It's safe to assume he won't be at 100% tomorrow. And, with the Cardinals having nothing to play for, Conner's volume could be scaled back. We'll look for any reports on his expected workload. For now, consider him a risk/reward RB2 in Week 17 fantasy lineups.