Former Cardinals RB Eno Benjamin claimed by Texans

Former Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin was claimed by the Houston Texans on Tuesday after being waived by the Cardinals on Monday, the team announced.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the move.

Houston, at 1-7, had waiver priority over three other known teams who put in claims for Benjamin: The Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.

Benjamin was surprisingly cut the day after the Cardinals’ 27-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams in which Benjamin logged only one snap while James Conner had 96% of them. That, in and of itself, was a surprise too given Benjamin’s success as a runner all season, including when Conner was sidelined.

Benjamin carried the ball 70 times for 299 yards and two touchdowns in 2022 for Arizona, averaging a team-best 4.3 yards per carry. He also caught 24 passes for 184 yards.

Benjamin, a sixth-round pick by the Cardinals in the 2020 NFL Draft, worked his way through the ranks before showing enough improvement to compete for playing time at his position this season.

The Arizona State product is originally from Wylie, Texas, so Benjamin will be able to play now within a four-hour drive of his hometown.

Houston’s backfield is led by Dameon Pierce, who is fifth in the NFL in rushing with 772 yards through nine games. Pierce has 165 of the Texans’ 207 carries as a team, an area where Benjamin will help provide another option outside of Rex Burkhead.

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