James Conner active, Trey Benson out for Cardinals-Rams
Dec 28, 2024, 4:41 PM | Updated: 4:47 pm
Arizona Cardinals fans and fantasy football managers, rejoice! Veteran running back James Conner is officially active for his team’s Week 17 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
The veteran entered the matchup as questionable after practicing in a limited fashion due to a knee injury suffered in last week’s overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers.
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
It’s unclear if Conner will have his typical workload or be pulled back a bit due to the knee issue.
In his eighth season as a pro, the running back has already set a new career best in rushing yards with 1,090 to go along with eight touchdowns on 232 attempts. He’s also caught 45 balls (52 targets) for 410 yards and a score.
He was an absolute problem for L.A. in Week 2, ripping off 122 yards and a score on 21 carries.
Conner’s production on the field and impact off of it were major reasons why general manager Monti Ossenfort inked a two-year contract extension with the team captain.
Along with Conner, offensive lineman Evan Brown (neck) and pass rusher Baron Browning (neck) are active.
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James Conner in, Trey Benson out
While the veteran is getting the green light for Saturday’s matchup, the same can’t be said for rookie running back Trey Benson.
Benson was questionable heading into the tilt due to an ankle injury. He was a limited participant throughout the week of practice.
Year 1 has had its up and downs for the rookie, who has 291 yards and one touchdown on 63 carries. He’s chipped in another 59 yards on six receptions (six targets).
Arizona will likely turn to Michael Carter, who was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Saturday’s game, to pick up the slack with Benson sidelined. Carter ran for 18 yards on five carries last week in what was his first action all year.
Arizona also has running back DeeJay Dallas as an option. The special teams ace caught a one-yard pass for a touchdown last week. He’s up to eight attempts for 27 rushing yards and the one catch on the year.
In addition to Benson, wide receiver Xavier Weaver, tight end Travis Vokolek, safety Jammie Robinson and linebackers Benton Whitley and Milo Eifler are inactive for Sunday’s game.
They join safety Joey Blount (ribs), cornerback Elijah Jones (ankle) and kicker Matt Prater (left knee), all of whom were ruled out this past Thursday.
Who’s out for L.A.?
Starting right tackle Rob Havenstein is officially inactive for Sunday night’s game.
The same goes for quarterback Stetson Bennett, wide receiver Tyler Johnson, running back Cody Schrader and offensive lineman Dylan McMahon.
The Cardinals take on the Rams at 6 p.m. on the Arizona Sports app, 98.7 and ArizonaSports.com.
