The Cardinals newly minted running back will miss at least the next 4 games with a knee injury.
The Arizona Cardinals have had a rough time with injury lately having lost running back James Conner for the season. Now Trey Benson will miss at least the next 4 games with a knee injury.
Benson will head to IR while Michael Carter and Emari Demercado are set to fill in for at least the next month. The news comes as a blow to fantasy gamers who were excited for Benson to be a league winner. Having been drafted in the double digit rounds, he was set to be a Zero RB hero.
In such a short time to start the NFL season, fantasy gamers are having to turn to 3rd and sometimes 4th options at the running back position. For fantasy, expect a decent split between Carter and Demercardo with some favor towards Carter who recently let it slip in an interview that he may be the starter.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (ankle) ...
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (ankle) suffered...
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (knee) took ...
With James Conner out for the remainder of the season, Trey Benson is set to be the RB1 for the Arizona Cardinals.
The Arizona Cardinals suffered a tremendous blow in losing running back James Conner after suffering a serious ankle injury in Sunday’s 16-15 loss to the division rival San Francisco 49ers. Surgery is expected in what will amount to a lost season for the 30 year-old back.
James Conner has fought many battles on and off the field, most notably overcoming cancer in 2015. Conner’s absence will open up a 60.8% opportunity share to be taken by backfield mate Trey Benson. While Benson will split duties with satellite back Emari Demercado, expect Benson to get the bulk of opportunity as the RB1 in the Cardinals offense.
While the Cardinals may trade for a running back or sign one off of the practice squad, expect Benson to fill Conner’s role on a 1:1 basis. Benson is shaping up to be a league winner for those who have him rostered.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
The Arizona Cardinals are placing starting running back James Conner on IR for the last week of the regular season.
Running back James Conner has had his healthiest season in years. This is only the second season he has reached at least 15 games in his 8 years in the league. Conner is a bruising power back, so it is testament to his toughness as a player who is reaching the later years of his career. Conner has been a reliable starter for the Cardinals since joining the team in 2021. He has averaged no less than 15 points a game since. With this latest knee injury it is wise to shut him down since the Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention. Journeyman running back Michael Carter was elevated from practice squad to replace Conner. Carter will likely get most of the carries as rookie running back Trey Benson was just recently put on IR as well.
With the season coming to close, the Cardinals are looking to get their top two RBs healthy for next season. This season was a disappointment on offense as quarterback Kyler Murray was expected to take the offense to another level. Conner will still start as long as he’s healthy, Should Conner slow down any, Benson will take the reigns from there. This offense should progress with the young weapons going ahead.
@J_Baldwin51 on Twitter.com
Arizona Cardinals sign running back James Conner to a 2 year contract extension.
Veteran running back James Conner is being rewarded for his toughness by signing a 2 year contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals. Conner became the epitome of resilience by overcoming cancer while in college. He then became the Cardinals’ bellcow runing back after being let go by the Pittburgh Steelers. Even though he has battled some injuries here and there, he has been good ole reliable for the Cards.
Conner shows no signs of slowing down even approaching the age of 30. He is currently RB17 on the season after being drafted RB19. Conner has been reliable for fantasy owners as he has been for the Cardinals. He isn’t going to win you your leagues but he is a consistent scorer for your team. He will likely keep it rolling for fantasy and the Cardinals for the remainder of this contract.
@J_Baldwin51
Veteran workhorse James Conner is not letting anyone take his lead role from him.
Running Back James Conner is a great example of resilience. After taking the starting role as a true freshman for the Pitt Panthers, James Conner became the top back in the nation as a sophomore. He ran for 1,765 yards and scoring 26 touchdowns. Junior year comes around Connor tears his MCL in the opening game, shortly after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Conner was thankfully cancer free by the offseason. Conner was able to return and have a productive final season in Pitt along with showing his versatility. He increased his season high in catches from 5 to 21.
James Conner has come a long ways from his cancer diagnosis and dealt with numerous injuries. Conner has never started more than 13 games in a season, but when on the field he has been a productive back. Conner’s best years have come in Arizona after a 4 year stint with the Steelers. That is expected to continue according to Cardinals beat writer Johnny Venerable. The other backs are Michael Carter and rookie Trey Benson. Venerable expects Carter to be RB2, with the rookie learning from the vets. Should Conner miss anytime, Benson is expected to become the lead back.
Fully expect Conner to continue to be the back he has been since arriving in Arizona. In his 3 seasons as a Cardinal Conner has finished as RB 7, 9 and 13, despite not appearing in every game. Conner is currently listed as RB27 in ADP, which is an absolute steal. He is not the flashy back you want but he is the one fantasy drafters want in the late rounds of every draft. As long as he is healthy, Conner has the potential for 20 point games. Look for the Cardinals to take full advantage of that.
Running James Connor is looking to end his career in Arizona.
Running Back James Connor is entering the last year of a 3 year contract signed in 2022. He has stated he wants to finish his career as a Arizona Cardinal. Connor has been a productive back for the Cardinals in the seasons he has played. Connor eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing for the first time in his career in 2023.
It’s understandable Connor wants to retire in Arizona after his injury plagued career with the Steelers. Connor has been a great zero running back flier in the middle to late rounds. He has never been the sexy athletic running back to target, but has been reliable when healthy. Connor is worth a very deep stash best ball and redraft formats. Avoid him completely in Dynasty. I firmly believe it will be difficult for the coaching staff to keep rookie running back Trey Benson on the bench. I do not believe Connor will get his wish to retire in Arizona.
