Trey Benson: Everything you need to know

Benson (knee) faces increased competition for touches in 2026 after the Cardinals signed Tyler Allgeier and restructured James Conner's contract, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports. Benson could potentially be the odd man out of a big-bodied 1-2 punch featuring Allgeier and Conner, as Donnie Druin of SI.com reports, though Benson's big-play potential could make him effective in a change-of-pace role. The 2024 third-round pick had a big opportunity last year following Conner's season-ending foot injury, but Benson then suffered a meniscus injury in Week 4, ultimately missing the rest of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery at the beginning of October. While the exact split of Arizona's 2026 backfield remains to be seen, Allgeier and Conner have established themselves as more consistent rushers than Benson, who will need to prove his health and then compete for a roster spot under new head coach Mike LaFleur.

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said Wednesday that Benson (knee) will not be activated from IR, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2025 season, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports. Benson had his 21-day practice window opened late November, and he initially managed limited on-field activity before being downgraded to consistent non-participant status. Instead, Bam Knight, Emari Demercado (ankle) and Michael Carter will handle Arizona's backfield reps for the remainder of the 2025 campaign. Carter, a 2024 third-round pick, had initially seemed primed for a substantial opportunity after starting running back James Conner (foot) went down to season-ending injury Week 3. Ultimately, however, durability concerns on Benson's part now make his expected role murky for the 2026 season, which will be the last year of Conner's contract with the Cardinals.

Benson (knee) won't play in Sunday's game against the Rams and isn't certain to return this season, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports. Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon didn't go into detail but did acknowledge the possibility of Benson missing the rest of the season. The team opened his 21-day practice window two weeks ago, with Benson initially logging limited practices before downgrading to non-participation last Thursday. He hasn't practiced since, leaving Bam Knight and Michael Carter to handle backfield reps, with Emari Demercado (ankle) perhaps now set to reenter the mix after missing Weeks 12-13. In order for Benson to play again this season, he'd need to be activated from injured reserve by the middle of next week (even if he's not ready to play).