Report: Cardinals’ James Conner expected to play Saturday vs. Rams
Dec 26, 2024, 10:24 PM
The Arizona Cardinals expect to have running back James Conner for Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, according to The MMQB’s Albert Breer.
The report is another good sign regarding Conner’s status after he practiced — albeit in a limited fashion — throughout the week after going down with a knee injury in last week’s overtime loss to Carolina.
Make that another day of practice for Arizona Cardinals RBs James Conner and Trey Benson.
A good sign for their respective statuses this Saturday. pic.twitter.com/AG2w2Lu42p
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) December 26, 2024
That being said, there’s always the chance Arizona holds back on Conner’s typical workload coming off the injury.
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Even if that’s the case, getting some form of Conner is a good thing for a Cardinals offense looking to end on a good note after an up and down 2024.
“James is always ready to go. You will never see James Conner not ready to go,” running backs coach Autry Denson said Thursday when asked how the veteran looked at practice this week.
The veteran running back, fresh off signing a two-year contract extension with the team in November, is having an impressive behind a career high 1,090 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 232 carries.
He paces all Cardinals in first downs with 66 while adding another 410 yards and a touchdown on 45 catches (52 targets).
On top of his stats, Conner can also set a new career best for games played in a single season by playing in either of the next two games.
Trey Benson’s status up in the air
While it sounds like Conner is trending toward playing, the same can’t be said for rookie running back Trey Benson.
According to Breer, the first-year pro’s status remains up in the air with Saturday closing in.
Benson was a limited practice participant this week due to an ankle injury that kept him out last week against the Panthers.
If Benson can’t play, Michael Carter, who would need to be elevated from the practice squad Friday, and DeeJay Dallas would be in line for expanded roles in the offense.
Carter took the bulk of the snaps when Conner went down last week, rushing five times for 18 yards. He also caught five balls for 30 yards.
Dallas meanwhile caught a one-yard touchdown on his only offensive touch in the loss.
If need be, Arizona also has Tony Jones Jr. as an option on the practice squad.
Who else is questionable for Cardinals-Rams?
Aside from Conner and Benson, guard Evan Brown and pass rusher Baron Browning are listed as questionable for Saturday’s matchup in L.A.
Both are dealing with neck issues and were limited participants all week at practice.
