The Arizona Cardinals have endured a harsh season, and running back Trey Benson’s injury is another chapter in the team’s tale of desperation. Injuries to key players hammered Arizona’s efforts to stay competitive in the most feared division in all of football, the NFC West.
The Cardinals’ push for a playoff appearance has long since ended, as they sit at the bottom of the division with a 3-11 record. That said, will Benson feature again this year, with only three games remaining?
When Will Cardinals RB Trey Benson Be Back?
Arizona will roll down the curtain on a disappointing campaign, starting with a home game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. Benson hasn’t played in a long time, having last put up numbers in a Week 4 loss against the Seattle Seahawks.
The following week, it was reported that the running back had sustained a knee injury toward the end of the matchup. While it was initially thought not to be serious, it ended up keeping him out for the rest of the season.
He consistently worked through the injury with the expectation of returning soon. However, the long, optimistic journey culminated in head coach Jonathan Gannon stating on Dec. 10 that Benson would not be activated from the injured reserve this season.
Being out of the playoff race could’ve played a significant role in the Arizona top brass’s decision to keep Benson sidelined and ensure a proper recovery ahead of next season. There is no rush to get the second-year pro back on the field, as the team is managing with depth pieces like Michael Carter, Emari Demercado, and Corey Kiner.
Benson’s injury is only one of a few that Arizona’s backfield has suffered this year. James Conner was the first to go down early on with a foot injury, and Bam Knight was the other back to be sidelined with an ankle sprain.
Conner, Benson, and Knight are slated to miss the remainder of the campaign, with Carter, Demercado, and Kiner set to carry the backfield.
Benson put up stable numbers in the four games that he featured in this season. He was used in a versatile role, taking touches both out of the backfield and through the air. Before he got injured, he totaled 29 carries for 160 yards to average 5.5 yards per carry, with a longest run of 52 yards. He also caught 13 balls for a total of 64 yards in his four outings.
How things in the desert change ahead of next season remains to be seen. But Benson hopes to be part of the coaching staff’s plans for the future.
