The Arizona Cardinals' running back situation took yet another hit this week, with Trey Benson officially placed on injured reserve following knee surgery. The second-year back, who had just stepped into the spotlight after James Conner's season-ending injury, underwent arthroscopic procedure on his meniscus and now faces a four-to-six week absence, sidelining him for at least four games. It's a tough break for a player who showed flashes of promise early in the season, rushing for solid yards before this setback.
Indeed, the Cardinals' backfield has been plagued by instability. Conner went down in Week 4, forcing Benson into a larger role, but his injury in the same game against the Chargers leaves the team scrambling. Coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed the move Wednesday, noting Benson should return later this year, though the timeline remains uncertain amid the grueling NFL schedule. This comes at a bad time, with Arizona prepping for a divisional clash against the Seahawks on Sunday.
However, the depth chart shifts dramatically now. Emari Demercado emerges as the likely lead back, having already seen increased snaps last week with two carries for eight yards and some receiving work. Michael Carter and rookie Bam Knight round out the options, with Carter potentially handling third-down duties given his pass-catching skills. Knight, an undrafted free agent, could get a shot if the committee approach falters—expect a rotation that tests the limits of this thin group. Fantasy managers, already burned by Conner's loss, now scramble to snag Demercado off waivers before others do.
Moreover, the Cardinals' offense, which leaned on a balanced attack, might struggle without reliable ground production. Gannon hinted at adjustments, but with two top backs out, the pressure falls squarely on Kyler Murray to carry more load through the air. It's reminiscent of last season's injury woes, only amplified.
Still, as the Cardinals adapt to this latest curveball, one wonders how deep these running back troubles will run for the rest of the campaign.