Coach Jonathan Gannon believes Benson "is going to take a step" in his second season as a pro, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

There's no question about James Conner's standing as the top option out of the Cardinals backfield, as the eight-year veteran is coming off a career-best 1,508 yards from scrimmage during the 2024 season. The team invested a third-round pick in Benson two springs ago, but he managed only 69 touches for 350 total yards and one rushing TD in 13 regular-season games as a rookie. He wasn't known for his receiving ability in college, so Benson may need an injury to Conner to make a significant impact in the upcoming campaign.

Benson said Thursday that he added seven pounds during the offseason but feels more explosive, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Benson also said he wants the Cardinals to have "two RB1s" this season, suggesting he's ready for a larger role behind James Conner after taking 69 touches for 350 total yards (on 137 snaps) during his rookie campaign. The 2024 third-round pick missed the final three games of last season with an ankle injury but came back healthy for OTAs and minicamp this spring. There aren't many running backs that offer a better combination of speed and size, with Benson having run a 4.39 40 at the 2024 Combine at 6 feet, 216 pounds. It sounds like he may have maintained that speed while pushing his weight to the 220-225 range.

Benson (ankle) has been participating in the Cardinals' voluntary OTAs, per the team's official site.

EDGE Analysis

Benson missed the last three games of his rookie season due to an ankle injury that required his being placed on IR, but Arizona's offseason photo release now shows him participating in Phase Three of OTAs. Across 13 regular-season appearances as a rookie, the 2024 third-round pick rushed 63 times for 291 yards and one score (4.6 YPC). He was active Week 5 but took no snaps behind workhorse James Conner. Benson is slotted in for a backup role behind Conner entering Year 2 but remains a high-upside developmental option, in the event that the 30-year-old veteran starter atop the depth chart shows signs of regression coming off a career-high 283 touches. Admittedly, though, Conner is a three-down player and impressed with 1,508 yards from scrimmage while remaining healthy for a career-best 16 regular-season games in 2024, and if he reprises a similar performance in 2025 few opportunities will be left over for Benson.

Arizona placed Benson (ankle) on injured reserve Tuesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Benson will end up missing the final three games of his rookie season due to the ankle injury he sustained in a Dec. 15 win over the Patriots. Before getting hurt, the third-round pick out of Florida State had solidified his spot as the top backup to lead back James Conner. Over his 13 appearances, Benson carried 63 times for 291 yards (4.6 average) and a touchdown while reeling in all six of his targets for 59 yards.

Benson (ankle) is inactive for Saturday's game at the Rams, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Benson thus will miss a second consecutive contest due to an ankle injury, but on a positive note he at least was listed as limited on all three Week 17 injury reports, suggesting that his health is trending in the right direction ahead of a Week 18 matchup with the 49ers. As for Saturday, though, James Conner (knee) will continue to lead Arizona's backfield, while Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas back him up.

Benson (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest at the Rams, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

After sitting out Week 16 at Carolina due to an ankle injury, Benson has been listed as limited on all three Week 17 practice reports. No. 1 RB James Conner (knee) followed the same regimen this week, but coach Jonathan Gannon told Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com on Thursday that he wasn't certain about the statuses of both running backs. In the end, The Cardinals will post their list of inactives about 90 minutes before Saturday's 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff, but if Conner and/or Benson are limited or sidelined, Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas are the next players up at the position.

Benson (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Benson failed to practice at all last week due to an ankle issue before being ruled out on the Cardinals' final injury report, so his ability to log a limited walkthrough Tuesday and a capped session one day later has given him a chance to return to action Saturday at the Rams. Starting RB James Conner (knee) has followed the same practice regimen this week, so their respective listings on Thursday's report may shed light on who among them will lead the backfield Week 17. Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas are the healthy options at the position on the active roster.

Benson (ankle) was estimated as a limited participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports. ""We'll see how they go, but that's obviously why I didn't rule them out," head coach Jonathan Gannon said of Benson and fellow running back James Conner (knee), who was also listed as a limited participant. "They both have a chance to play [Saturday versus the Rams]."

EDGE Analysis

Conner exited this past Sunday's 36-30 overtime loss to the Panthers with the knee injury, while Benson sat out the contest entirely due to the ankle injury he sustained a week earlier in the Cardinals' win over the Patriots. The two backs seem to be in similar spots in their respective recoveries from the injury, but both may need to upgrade to full participation in practices Wednesday and/or Thursday to avoid taking a designation into Saturday. If neither Conner nor Benson is able to gain clearance for the Week 17 contest, Gannon said that Michael Carter "would get a lot of carries," per Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic.

Benson (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Carolina, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Benson hasn't practiced this week after exiting early from Arizona's Week 15 win over the Patriots. With fellow backup running back Emari Demercado (back) on injured reserve, DeeJay Dallas figures to step in behind James Conner, who projects for a huge share of Arizona's backfield snaps and touches.

Benson (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Benson injured his ankle during Sunday's win over the Patriots and never returned. He's now missed consecutive practices and likely would need to participate Friday to have a shot at playing Sunday at Carolina. With Benson in danger of missing the game and Emari Demercado (back) on injured reserve, the Cardinals may give James Conner an even larger workload than usual.