The Arizona Cardinals entered the 2025 season expecting their running game to be a strength, but injuries have turned it into one of the team’s biggest concerns. With both of their top backs sidelined, the offense now faces a major identity shift as it tries to stay competitive in the NFC.
Arizona Faces RB Depth Test After Major Injuries
It has been a difficult stretch for the Cardinals’ backfield. As per an article by PFSN’s Sebastian Mondaca, last week, veteran running back James Conner was officially ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a serious foot injury in Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Conner, a team captain and one of Arizona’s most dependable offensive players, was carted off the field and later required season-ending surgery.
“One of your leaders, a captain. You hate that it happened,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said, per team reports. “I feel terrible, but I know he’ll take the right attitude and bounce back. Picking up that slack, both the player and the person, we’re all going to have to collectively do it, truthfully.”
Conner’s absence removes the physical, workhorse element around which Arizona built its ground game. In response, second-year running back Trey Benson stepped into the starting role. However, the Cardinals’ backfield was hit again this week when Gannon confirmed that Benson is being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury suffered late last week.
Cardinals RB Trey Benson is being placed on injured reserve due to his knee injury. pic.twitter.com/MiWZHtfHj6
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 1, 2025
“He came in Friday and it’s a knee,” Gannon told reporters. “But he should be able to return at some point this year.” Benson, who had already produced explosive runs of 52 and 29 yards this season, will now miss at least four weeks.
The dual setbacks leave Arizona leaning heavily on depth pieces. Gannon said the team will rotate between Emari Demercado, Bam Knight, and Michael Carter heading into Sunday’s home matchup against the Tennessee Titans. “I’m sure all three of them will play,” he told reporters.
HC Gannon on his RB room that includes Emari Demercado, Bam Knight, and Michael Carter, via @Tdrake4sports:
“I’m sure all three of them will play.”
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) October 1, 2025
Carter, recently promoted from the practice squad, could handle an increased workload. Demercado offers pass-catching ability on third downs, while Knight, who has yet to record a carry this season, might see his first meaningful snaps.
None of them, however, replicate Conner’s reliability or Benson’s big-play potential, forcing the Cardinals to rework their offensive approach.
This comes amid broader adversity for Arizona, with key defensive players like Walter Nolen III and Garrett Williams also sidelined and rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. still adjusting to the NFL. Yet despite the injuries, a win over the winless Titans would move the Cardinals to 3-2, keeping them in the playoff conversation.
