Tag: Benson

Cardinals rule out Marvin Harrison Jr., Emari Demercado

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Arizona Cardinals ruled out wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and running back Emari Demarco for their game Sunday against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars.

Also on Wednesday, the Cardinals opened the 21-day practice window for running back Trey Benson and signed punter Matt Haack to replace the released Pat O’Donnell.

Harrison will miss his second straight game following appendix surgery, while Demercado sustained a high-ankle sprain in last week’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Benson has been on injured reserve since Oct. 1 following arthroscopic surgery on his meniscus. Coach Jonathan Gannon said Benson would be evaluated “day by day” before the Cardinals (3-7) decide to activate him to face the Jaguars (6-4).

Harrison, 23, has 34 catches for 525 yards and four touchdowns in nine starts this season.

Demercado, 26, has rushed for 241 yards in nine games to go along with eight catches for 64 yards and a TD.

Benson, 23, has rushed for 160 yards and has 13 receptions for 64 yards in four games (one start).

Haack, 31, played in 103 games with five teams from 2017-24, averaging 39.7 net yards per punt. He spent time on the Cardinals’ roster during the 2023 preseason.

–Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) breaks out of the backfield against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, on Sept. 25, 2025.

Cardinals placing RB Trey Benson (knee) on IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Arizona Cardinals are placing running back Trey Benson on injured reserve with a knee injury, head coach Jonathan Gannon announced Wednesday.

While the move requires a player to sit out a minimum of four games, ESPN reported that Benson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his meniscus and is expected to be sidelined four-to-six weeks.

Benson sustained a knee injury toward the end of the Cardinals’ 23-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks last Thursday.

“Trey Benson is going IR to return,” Gannon said. “He came in Friday, and it’s a knee, but he should be able to return at some point this year.”

The Cardinals still are dealing with the loss of two-time Pro Bowl running back James Conner, who was placed on season-ending IR after sustaining an ankle injury in Arizona’s 16-15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 21.

Michael Carter, Emari Demercado and Bam Knight are expected to handle the workload on Sunday as the Cardinals (2-2) host the winless Tennessee Titans (0-4) in Glendale, Ariz.

Benson, 23, has rushed for a team-leading 160 yards and is averaging 5.5 yards per attempt. He also has 13 receptions for 64 yards.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) is tended to by medical personal after being tackled during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Cardinals RB James Conner likely out for season, will undergo ankle surgery

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cardinals running back James Conner is scheduled for ankle surgery and unlikely to return this season, pushing Trey Benson into a starting role in Arizona.

Conner was carted to the locker room after being tackled in the third quarter of Sunday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He had nine carries for 22 yards in the game and totaled 95 rushing yards in two-plus games this season.

Conner, 30, was hit at the shoulder pads while also being clipped low. Teammates called for trainers and several players on both teams gathered around the two-time Pro Bowler to wish him well as he left the field on a cart.

Benson had 10 carries for 42 yards in the second half of the 16-15 setback.

Benson leads the team with 125 rushing yards on 21 carries and called Conner his role model. He said he plans to pick up the slack for Arizona (2-1).

“I don’t have a choice,” he said. “I’m going to do it for (Conner). He’s going to be my motivation for the rest of the year and I can’t wait.”

Michael Carter is on the Arizona practice squad and would be a candidate to join the active roster when the Cardinals officially transfer Conner to injured reserve.

Bam Knight and Emari Demercado are the current backups on the 53-man roster. Demercado has been the primary third-down back.

“You just got to regather yourself, try to keep going. Do it for him,” Demercado said.

–Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) smiles as he comes out the huddle during their game against the New England Patriots at State Farm Stadium on Dec 15, 2024.

Cardinals RB James Conner (knee) to sit out finale vs. 49ers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers due to a knee injury, coach Jonathan Gannon said Wednesday.

Conner, 29, initially sustained his injury in Arizona’s 36-30 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers on Dec. 22. He was able to play this past weekend, however he exited the Cardinals’ 13-9 setback to the Los Angeles Rams after just four carries for 4 yards.

Signed to a two-year contract extension in November, Conner recorded career-high totals in carries (236), rushing yards (1,094) and games played (16). He also had eight touchdowns for the Cardinals (7-9), who have lost five of their last six games heading into season finale against the 49ers (6-10) in Glendale, Ariz.

With rookie Trey Benson (ankle) just placed on injured reserve, Michael Carter likely will receive the bulk of the workload in the backfield versus San Francisco.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Conner has rushed for 5,970 yards and 59 touchdowns to go along with 281 receptions for 2,217 yards and 11 scores in 107 career games (81 starts) with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2017-20) and Cardinals.

Conner was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media