The Arizona Cardinals enter Week 13 facing both opportunity and uncertainty, and the status of running back Bam Knight sits near the center of that discussion.
With injuries stacking up across the roster and the backfield already strained, his situation has become one of the key storylines heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. What follows reflects the latest information, leaving room for developments as the week closes.
Cardinals Backfield Picture Ahead of Buccaneers Game
Knight appears to be trending in a positive direction after being listed as a limited participant in practice with a knee issue. According to the Cardinals’ official injury report, he currently carries no injury designation for the Week 13 game.
This puts him on track to suit up, barring setbacks. All details regarding his practice status and designation were sourced from the Cardinals’ website. The broader context around the running back room, however, is far more complicated.
Trey Benson’s availability remains unresolved after he missed Thursday’s practice due to a lingering knee injury. As reported by the team site, his activation window continues, but the Cardinals would need to add him to the 53-man roster by Saturday if he is to play.
The team noted that, earlier in the week, he was limited before shifting to a DNP. The Cardinals also listed Emari Demercado as a non-participant with an ankle injury on both Wednesday and Thursday.
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These details create a scenario where Knight could see meaningful involvement, even if the team has not publicly confirmed roles or snap expectations.
Knight’s production this season offers important context. He has recorded 63 carries for 193 yards and four rushing touchdowns, along with 16 receptions for 106 yards. His game logs show consistent usage through Weeks 5 to 12, including rushing touchdowns in Weeks 5, 6, 11, and 12.
The Cardinals’ website further outlines the scope of the team’s health challenges, noting that multiple offensive linemen did not practice, including Kelvin Beachum and Will Hernandez.
Such absences could influence the run game even if Knight is active. The team also highlighted the returns of Josh Sweat and Baron Browning to practice, and Marvin Harrison Jr.’s progression following his appendicitis procedure. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett said, “It was good to see him running. He went through something very traumatic.”
Adding another layer to this week’s outlook is the Cardinals’ offensive performance profile. According to PFSN’s Offense Impact metric, the Cardinals hold a 71.1 score for the 2025 season, ranking 22nd with a grade of C-.
The team’s 3-8 record reflects the challenges indicated by those numbers, including inconsistency and limited offensive impact. This context suggests that Knight’s availability could be meaningful, particularly with other running backs uncertain.
The accumulation of injuries, particularly on the offensive line and among skill players, may affect the Cardinals’ approach in Tampa Bay. While Knight’s designation suggests availability, the team’s overall depth and health could shape his role.
As of now, based solely on official practice reports, Knight appears positioned to play, but his workload will likely depend on how the team manages the rest of its compromised backfield.
Arizona Cardinals’ Insights for Week 13
Team: Arizona is one loss from its fourth straight losing season.
QB: Jacoby Brissett has passed for 769 yards in the last two games. It’s the most yards in a two-game span in his ten-year career.
Offense: Arizona is one of three teams not to score at least 28 points in one game this season.
Defense: The Cardinals have allowed 112 points during their current three-game losing streak
Fantasy: Trey Benson sounds close to returning, and after non-QB Cardinals ran 17 times for 35 yards against the Jags, this is a team that could use it. Benson should be viewed as the clear-cut workhorse in Arizona when the team deems him healthy enough to be active.