Tag: james conner

Sep 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) avoids the tackle by. San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (2) during the first half at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Cardinals place RB James Conner (foot) on IR; promote OL Demontrey Jacobs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Arizona Cardinals placed running back James Conner on injured reserve on Tuesday, as expected, as he is scheduled for foot surgery, and signed offensive lineman Demontrey Jacobs to the active roster from the practice squad.

The Cardinals (2-1) need depth on the offensive line with left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and tackle Kelvin Beachum dealing with knee injuries. Johnson missed Sunday’s 16-15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, with Beachum starting in his place.

Johnson was listed as a limited participant while Beachum did not practice on Tuesday ahead of Thursday’s home game vs. Seattle (2-1).

Jacobs, 26, started 13 of the 15 games he played in 2024 for the New England Patriots. He played 90 percent of the offensive snaps and 13 percent of special teams snaps.

The Patriots waived him on Aug. 26 and he signed two days later to the Cardinals’ practice squad.

Arizona also signed linebacker Elliott Brown and safety Patrick McMorris to the practice squad and released defensive lineman Kyon Barrs from the practice squad.

The Cardinals’ depth chart lists Trey Benson as Conner’s backup, followed by Emari Demercado and Bam Knight. Michael Carter is the only running back on the practice squad.

Conner, 30, was carted to the locker room after being tackled in the third quarter on Sunday. He was hit at the shoulder pads while also being clipped low.

He started all three games this season and had 32 carries for 95 yards and one touchdown. Conner also caught eight passes on nine targets for 38 yards and one TD.

For his career, Conner has rushed for 6,065 yards and 60 touchdowns and caught 289 passes for 2,255 yards and 12 scores in 110 regular-season games (84 starts) for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2017-20) and Cardinals.

A Pro Bowl selection in 2018 and 2021, Conner was a third-round pick by the Steelers in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Pittsburgh.

–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

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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

Sep 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) during the first half at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Cardinals RB James Conner (ankle) ruled out after being carted off

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals two-time Pro Bowl running back James Conner was carted off with an ankle injury in the third quarter of Sunday’s game at the San Francisco 49ers.

Conner had his right leg bent awkwardly underneath him while being tackled near the line of scrimmage on a carry. He immediately appeared to be in a great deal of pain and was loaded onto the cart with teammates all around him.

Within minutes of being carted off, Conner was ruled out for the remainder of the game with an ankle injury. He finished with 22 yards on nine carries and had three receptions for 15 yards.

Conner, 30, is in his fifth season with the Cardinals after spending the 2017-20 seasons with Pittsburgh, which selected him in the third round of the 2017 draft.

Conner had the first two 1,000-yard seasons of his NFL career in 2023 and 2024, rushing for 2,134 yards and 15 touchdowns over the last two seasons. With 6,043 career yards entering Sunday’s game, he ranked 11th on the NFL’s active rushing yards leaders list.

Emari Demercado (507 career rushing yards, three TDs entering Sunday) and Trey Benson (374 yards, one TD) are the other available running backs for the Cardinals for the remainder of Sunday’s game.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Glendale, Ariz., U.S.; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) celebrates as he walks off the field after their 41-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium.

Cardinals RB James Conner signs 2-year extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner signed a two-year contract extension on Saturday.

Financial terms were not announced by the team, however multiple media outlets reported the deal was worth $19 million.

Conner, who will turn 30 in May, will be under contract through the 2026 season. He was scheduled to be a free agent after this season.

Conner has 166 carries for 705 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games (all starts) this season. He also has 29 catches for 288 yards.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Conner has rushed for 5,581 yards and 56 touchdowns to go along with 263 receptions for 2,091 yards and 10 scores in 102 career games (76 starts) with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cardinals.

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

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) against diving Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals open 21-day practice window for RB James Conner

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The Arizona Cardinals designated running back James Conner to return from injured reserve and opened his 21-day practice window on Wednesday.

Conner sustained a knee injury at the end of a 35-yard run during Arizona’s 34-20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 8. He was placed on IR two days later by the Cardinals, who could welcome both Conner and star quarterback Kyler Murray (torn ACL last season) back to the field for Sunday’s game against the visiting Atlanta Falcons.

Conner, 28, has rushed for 364 yards and two touchdowns in five games this year. The two-time Pro Bowl selection is averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

Arizona (1-8) has struggled to ignite its ground attack in his absence. The Cardinals rushed 21 times for just 41 yards in a 27-0 loss to the host Cleveland Browns last Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) breaks past Cincinnati Bengals safety Nick Scott (33) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Oct. 8, 2023.

Report: Cardinals RB James Conner (knee) could land on IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner is expected to miss multiple weeks with a knee injury, and it’s possible he will be put on injured reserve, according to reports Tuesday.

Conner, 28, injured his knee in the second quarter of Sunday’s 34-20 loss to the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. He went to the medical tent on the sideline before heading to the locker room and did not return.

Speaking on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM on Monday, Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said Conner could miss “a little bit of time.”

Conner ran for 46 yards on six carries before the injury and a team-leading 364 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

To help fill the void, the Cardinals picked up Tony Jones Jr. off waivers. Jones, 25, started the season with the New Orleans Saints and has notched 21 rushing attempts for 70 yards and two touchdowns this season.

The Cardinals will likely lean on undrafted rookie Emari Demercado. He had 10 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown and one reception for 12 yards in relief of Conner on Sunday.

The Cardinals (1-4) will be on the road for the next two games, starting with a visit to the Los Angeles Rams (2-3) this Sunday followed by a trip to Seattle.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, United States; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) stiff arms Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Rondone-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals RB James Conner (knee) questionable to return

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner injured his knee in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals.

Conner is questionable to return. He went to the medical tent on the sideline and then headed to the locker room.

Conner, 28, who ran for 46 yards on six carries before the injury, entered Sunday with a team-leading 318 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety Marcus Epps (22) tackles Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals RBs James Conner ailing, Darrel Williams out

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Arizona Cardinals running back corps is looking more like a proverbial M*A*S*H unit heading into Week 6.

The status of starter James Conner (rib) is unclear as the practice week begins while third-string RB Darrel Williams already has been ruled out for this week with a knee sprain.

Only Eno Benjamin and fourth-stringer Keaontay Ingram are healthy heading into Sunday’s divisional contest against the Seahawks in Seattle.

The club signed running backs Ty’Son Williams and Corey Clement to the practice squad this week.

Further, RB Jonathan Ward, who had only played on special teams so far this season, is heading for injured reserve with a hamstring injury, according to NFL Network.

Conner suffered his injury last week against the Philadelphia Eagles. He rushed nine times for 55 yards but played just 24 snaps. He leads the Cardinals with 200 yards rushing on the season. He’s considered day-to-day and his status will become clearer later in the week.

Williams was limited to eight offensive snaps vs. the Eagles, rushing three times for nine yards.

Benjamin played 37 snaps and carried the ball eight times for 25 yards and a touchdown. He has 136 yards rushing on the season.

The Cardinals (2-3) will hold a walkthrough on Wednesday instead of a full practice ahead of the game against the Seahawks (2-3).

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) and Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during a game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals RB James Conner (ankle) questionable to return vs. Raiders

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner is questionable to return to Sunday’s game against the host Las Vegas Raiders after suffering an ankle injury on the team’s second play of the third quarter.

Conner rushed for 25 yards on seven carries and had two receptions for 26 yards.

Eno Benjamin and Darrel Williams shared the Cardinals’ backfield workload in Conner’s absence.

–Field Level Media

Dec 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic Nfl Los Angeles Rams At Arizona Cardinals

Report: Cardinals RB James Conner (heel) to play vs. Colts

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Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner will play Saturday night against the visiting Indianapolis Colts after missing practice all week with a heel injury, ESPN reported.

Conner, who was listed as questionable on the injury report, was said to be a game-time decision for the Cardinals (10-4).

Conner’s 14 rushing touchdowns rank second in the NFL behind Jonathan Taylor (17) of the Colts (8-6).

Conner, 26, has a team-leading 700 rushing yards to go along with 31 catches for 334 yards and two touchdowns.

–Field Level Media