When will Cardinals’ James Conner begin full team activities?

TEMPE — The Arizona Cardinals’ run game has the potential to be one of its strengths in 2026.

Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier form a formidable tandem, with James Conner and Bam Knight a pair of starting-caliber options on the depth chart.

We’ve seen Love, Allgeier and Knight operate within head coach Mike LaFleur’s offseason. The same can’t be said for Conner, though.

While the veteran avoided the physically unable to perform list and was a training camp participant throughout, Conner has yet to see any team activities like 11-on-11 work.

And with the team back in Tempe after breaking camp in Glendale, time is running out for Conner to get in the mix before the regular season.

LaFleur, however, doesn’t appear concerned with where Conner is at.

Where is James Conner at in his “return to performance” timeline?

Head coach Mike LaFleur gives an update on the veteran RB ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/HZJr6myPvq

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) August 15, 2026

“He is progressing. It was cool to see him suited up. He was in his jersey the other day because he wanted to feel that,” LaFleur said Saturday. “I’m not going to give you a timeline on it because we don’t know that timeline yet. Like I’ve said multiple times, he’s played enough in this league and he’s earned the right to know when he is going to be able to return.

“It’s not return to play, it’s return to performance. Anyone can get back out there, but if they don’t feel like they can perform at the level that they’re capable of, why put them out there? Particularly a vet like him who’s done it at such a high clip for so many years. I know he’s eager to get back and in due time I think we’ll see him.”

While the veteran didn’t participate in team activities during the open portion of Saturday’s practice, Conner was again seen getting work in on an individual basis.

Conner isn’t the only running back working through things as the preseason rolls on.

Trey Benson had a flareup in his knee that has sidelined him in a critical point in his Cardinals career.

Love, meanwhile, is being held out this week due to an ankle injury suffered in Thursday’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

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