It’s been a brutal season for the Arizona Cardinals with injuries popping up left and right. They didn’t need to see another key player go down.
But that’s what happened early in the first quarter as the Cardinals squared off against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
What Happened To Cardinals RB Bam Knight?
On his first carry of the game, Bam Knight suffered an ankle injury. He made his way to the sidelines but was carted back to the Cardinals’ locker room.
After Knight was carted back, the Cardinals announced that the running back was questionable to return with that ankle injury.
RB Bam Knight is questionable to return with an ankle injury. pic.twitter.com/B7AxFnH185
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 14, 2025
As if Knight going out was not bad enough, the Texans took an early 17-0 lead into the second quarter. In the first quarter, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Nico Collins, the Texans added a field goal, and running back Woody Marks scored on a touchdown run.
Knight only had that one carry for minus-2 yards. Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett will have to look at other backfield options going forward. Arizona is looking to work hard and make up the difference in the score.
Entering Sunday’s game, Knight has 81 carries for 271 yards and four touchdowns. He is in his third season in the NFL and started his career in 2022 with the New York Jets. Knight played two games last season for the Detroit Lions before coming over to the Cardinals.
Knight played his college ball at North Carolina State. According to the PFSN NFL RB Impact metrics, Knight has an impact score of 65.0 and grades out to a D.
Knight’s absence will be felt as the Cardinals are without a ton of players on Sunday. Their inactive players for the Texans’ game include wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Xavier Weaver, cornerback Max Melton, safeties Jalen Thompson and Damxdrion Taylor-Demerson, offensive lineman Evan Brown, and left tackle Paris Johnson Jr.
At this point, the Cardinals, 3-10 this season, are looking to play a spoiler’s role against opponents who might be vying to join the NFL postseason party. That’s what the Texans are looking to do in a more solid way with a win in front of the home crowd.
The Cardinals are also looking to snap a five-game losing streak, and head coach Jonathan Gannon has seen his team lose multiple close games this season.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.
