Cardinals' Trey Benson Expected to Lead Backfield After James Conner Season-Ending Injury

James Conner of the Arizona Cardinals suffered a season-ending ankle injury, leading to Trey Benson stepping up as the team's primary running back. Benson, a 2024 third-round pick, has shown promise with 125 yards on 21 carries and eight receptions for 45 yards this season, and he is motivated to honor his mentor, Conner. Arizona's backfield will now rely heavily on Benson, alongside Emari Demercado and Bam Knight, with Michael Carter available as depth from the practice squad. Benson's recent performance, including 10 rushes for 42 yards and three catches for nine yards in a close loss to San Francisco, demonstrated his readiness to lead. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray emphasized the team's commitment to improving their running game despite the setback. The coaching staff and players expect to maintain their offensive approach and adapt with the new backfield configuration moving forward.