Benjamin had two rushes for three yards during Sunday's 10-7 loss against Carolina. Over 15 games between Arizona, Houston and New Orleans in 2022, he recorded 73 rushing attempts for 313 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 25 receptions (34 targets) for 193 yards
Analysis: Benjamin finished the season in a reserve role alongside David Johnson, as both backs joined New Orleans when No. 2 running back Mark Ingram went down with a season-ending knee injury in early December. Benjamin ultimately had a slightly smaller workload compared to the 31-year-old Johnson, though neither saw any significant action with Alvin Kamara and do-it-all tight end Taysom Hill shouldering the Saints' rushing duties over the final four games. The 23-year-old Benjamin wound up seeing the vast majority of this production come over 10 games with the Cardinals before he was waived by the team Nov. 14. Benjamin also never carved out a significant role on special teams following his departure from Arizona. He will now enter the final year of his rookie contract during the 2023 season.
Jan 11, 2023 4:25 PM EST
Benjamin notched two carries for 10 yards and hauled in his only target for nine yards while playing six offensive snaps in Sunday's 20-10 victory against the Eagles.
Analysis: Benjamin saw his first action on offense since signing with the Saints in mid-December. He ultimately served a sparing role behind top rushers Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill, as these two accounted for 30 of the team's 35 rushing attempts. Benjamin's three touches did outpace fellow backup running back David Johnson (zero), though neither played more than eight offensive snaps Week 17. Both Benjamin and Johnson should once again see extremely limited workloads Week 18 unless the Saints choose to rest starters after they were officially eliminated from playoff contention Sunday.
Jan 2, 2023 7:00 AM EST
Benjamin (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against Atlanta, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: Benjamin was claimed off waivers by the Saints on Wednesday, but he'll remain inactive for his first contest with New Orleans. Dwayne Washington (coach's decision) is also inactive and Mark Ingram (knee) is out for the season, leaving David Johnson as the only active backup behind Alvin Kamara. However, the versatile Taysom Hill figures to garner a few rushing attempts as well.
Dec 18, 2022 9:01 AM EST
The Saints claimed Benjamin off waivers from the Texans on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Benjamin will move on to his third locale of the season, following stops in Arizona and Houston. With the Cardinals earlier this season, Benjamin was reasonably productive while handling a three-down role from Weeks 4 through 6 in the absence of James Conner, a stretch in which he averaged 50.3 rushing yards and 24 receiving yards per game. Once Conner returned, however, Benjamin was placed on waivers shortly thereafter, and he never received much of an opportunity to carve out work upon landing in Houston. The Saints could present a clearer path for him to find backup snaps behind Alvin Kamara, with Mark Ingram (knee) in danger to miss the rest of the season. Benjamin's threats for work behind Ingram are veteran David Johnson and Dwayne Washington, whom the Saints likely prefer to keep in a special-teams role.
Dec 14, 2022 1:41 PM EST
The Texans waived Benjamin on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Benjamin logged his first touches with Houston during Sunday's loss to Dallas, when he had three carries for one yard and was on the field for eight snaps. The 2020 seventh-round pick was waived by the Cardinals in mid-November before being claimed by the Texans, and he will now need to search for a chance at a depth role with another organization.
Dec 13, 2022 6:13 AM EST
Benjamin had three carries for one yard in Sunday's 27-23 loss to Dallas in Week 14.
Analysis: Benjamin, playing in his second game for Houston, was on the field for eight snaps and had his first touches since he was claimed by the Texans. The major story coming out of the game -- besides a late red-zone failure -- was Dameon Pierce leaving with an ankle injury. The team used Rex Burkhead to replace Pierce on the aforementioned failure, but they could turn to Benjamin or Dare Ogunbowale if Pierce isn't able to go next Sunday against Kansas City.
Dec 12, 2022 6:58 AM EST
Benjamin was on the active roster for Week 13's game against the Browns and made his debut for the Texans.
Analysis: Benjamin, who was claimed off waivers from Arizona three weeks ago, did receive a touch or a target in just four snaps. With Red Burkhead (concussion) unavailable, Dare Ogunbowale was the primary backup for Dameon Pierce, but that could change as Benjamin becomes more familiar with the offense.
Dec 5, 2022 6:37 AM EST
Benjamin (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Dolphins.
Analysis: Benjamin was also a healthy scratch Week 11 after being claimed off waivers by the Texans on Nov. 15. He'll work to earn the opportunity to make his his team debut Week 13 against the Browns.
Nov 27, 2022 9:06 AM EST
Benjamin (coach's decision) is officially inactive for Sunday's game against the Commanders.
Analysis: Benjamin was claimed off waivers from the Cardinals on Tuesday but won't make his debut for the Texans this weekend. Dameon Pierce should continue to work as Houston's lead tailback with Rex Burkhead filling the No. 2 role.
Nov 20, 2022 8:42 AM EST
The Texans claimed Benjamin off waivers from the Cardinals on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Before being effectively phased out of the offense in the Cardinals' Week 10 loss to the Rams, Benjamin enjoyed a solid run as Arizona's lead back from Weeks 6 through 8 while James Conner was sidelined with an injury. In those three games, Benjamin carried 36 times for 151 yards (4.2 average) and a touchdown while adding 11 receptions for 72 yards. After Arizona waiving him Monday, Benjamin unsurprisingly didn't take long to find a new home. In Houston, Benjamin could usurp Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale as the team's No. 2 running back, though Benjamin likely won't be in line for extensive work so long as standout rookie Dameon Pierce continues to remain healthy and productive in his three-down starting role.
Nov 15, 2022 1:08 PM EST
Arizona waived Benjamin on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Benjamin saw just one offensive snap during Arizona's Week 10 win over the Rams and has been let go a day later. The 2020 seventh-round pick rushed 70 times for 299 yards and two scores while securing 24 of 33 targets for 184 yards across his first nine appearances, including a 92-yard performance in Week 7 with James Connor sidelined due to a rib injury. Benjamin will likely draw plenty of interest while on waivers, but in his absence, Keaontay Ingram will be promoted to the primary backup behind Connor.
Nov 14, 2022 1:05 PM EST
Benjamin carried the ball four times for 12 yards and caught his only target for 15 yards in Sunday's 31-21 loss to the Seahawks.
Analysis: James Conner returned from a three-game absence due to a rib injury and saw 12 touches to Benjamin's five while averaging 6.4 yards a carry, leaving little doubt who the No. 1 option in the Arizona backfield is. Benjamin averaged nearly 75 scrimmage yards a game while Conner was sidelined, however, and he should remain involved in the offense in a Week 10 road matchup against the Rams.
Nov 6, 2022 5:45 PM EST
Benjamin is welcoming back James Conner (ribs) to the Cardinals backfield for Sunday's contest against the Seahawks, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Benjamin has been operating as Arizona's lead runner during Conner's three-game absence, racking up 223 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD on 47 touches. With Conner available Sunday, though, coach Kliff Kingsbury may resort to a timeshare of sorts between Conner and Benjamin as the former gets up to speed. Still, Benjamin seems destined for a decent number of looks considering how he's produced of late.
Nov 6, 2022 11:46 AM EST
Benjamin rushed nine times for 22 yards and secured four of seven targets for 23 yards in the Cardinals' 34-26 loss to the Vikings on Sunday.
Analysis: Benjamin found very tough sledding on the ground while once again helming the Cardinals backfield in the absence of James Conner (ribs). The modest rushing yardage total was particularly disappointing following his 92-yard tally against the Saints in Week 7, but Benjamin at least was able to provide solid production through the air. Benjamin could return to a backup role in a Week 9 home divisional clash against the Seahawks if Conner is able to return to action without limitations.
Oct 30, 2022 3:35 PM EST
Benjamin is expected to continue to serve as the Cardinals' lead back Sunday in Minnesota with James Conner (ribs) having been ruled out for a third straight game, Donnie Druin of SI.com reports.
Analysis: In his previous two turns as the Cardinals' No. 1 back sans Conner, Benjamin essentially handled a three-down workload, carrying 27 times for 129 yards and a touchdown to go with seven receptions for 49 yards between a loss to Seattle and a win over New Orleans. Along with Conner, the Cardinals were also without Darrel Williams (knee) for both of those contests, but Williams will have a chance to play Week 8 after being deemed a game-time call following Friday's practice. Even if Williams suits up, Benjamin shouldn't cede too much work to him, and rookie Keaontay Ingram doesn't look to be a major threat to Benjamin either.
Oct 28, 2022 1:58 PM EST
Benjamin rushed 12 times for 92 yards and a touchdown while adding four receptions for 21 yards on five targets in the Cardinals' 42-34 win over the Saints on Thursday night.
Analysis: DeAndre Hopkins' stellar season debut and a pair of pick-sixes by the defense stole the headlines for the Cardinals on Thursday night, but Benjamin's contributions were critical as well. The third-year back got loose for a game-long 45-yard rush that made up nearly half his production, and his five-yard touchdown run just past the midway point of the fourth quarter proved especially important after the Saints went on to score a late touchdown and field goal. Benjamin's impressive showing aside, he'll be set to return to a complementary role if James Conner (ribs) is healthy enough to suit up for a Week 8 road showdown against the Vikings a week from Sunday.
Oct 20, 2022 9:10 PM EST
Benjamin will be the Cardinals' No. 1 running back Thursday versus the Saints with both James Conner (ribs) and Darrel Williams (knee) inactive, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: While Benjamin tended to a foot injury this week, following an LP/LP/FP practice regimen Monday through Wednesday, the road has been cleared for him to earn a second straight start in place of Conner. This past Sunday in Seattle, Benjamin handled 87 percent of the offensive snaps on his way to 18 touches for 65 yards from scrimmage. Meanwhile, rookie sixth-rounder Keontay Ingram handled the other 13 percent and earned three carries.
Oct 20, 2022 3:56 PM EST
Benjamin (foot) practiced in full Wednesday and doesn't have a designation for Thursday's game versus the Saints, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: After opening Week 7 prep with back-to-back capped sessions due to a foot injury, Benjamin has gained clearance to lead Arizona's backfield again. Having said that, James Conner, who didn't practice this week due to a rib injury, was termed a game-time decision for Thursday by coach Kliff Kingsbury, according to Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com. Ultimately, Benjamin's usage likely will come down to whether or not Conner is available, so the Cardinals' inactive list will be of keen interest when it's released about 90 minutes before an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. If Conner joins Darrel Williams (knee, out) on the sideline, Benjamin would be in line for a similar workload to this past Sunday at Seattle, when he turned 18 touches into 65 yards from scrimmage on 62 of 71 offensive snaps, while rookie Keaontay Ingram earned the other nine plays on offense en route to three carries.
Oct 19, 2022 1:47 PM EST
Arizona listed Benjamin (foot) as a limited participant on Tuesday's practice report, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: Benjamin's reps are being capped to begin Week 7 prep after he played 87 percent of the Cardinals' offensive snaps while handling 18 touches (15 carries, three receptions) last week in the team's loss to the Seahawks. Though Benjamin is not yet in the clear for Thursday's game against the Saints, the Cardinals haven't provided an indication that his foot injury is a serious threat to his availability. Meanwhile, James Conner (ribs) and Darrel Williams (knee) remained non-participants at practice Tuesday and look to be trending toward missing a second straight game, seemingly setting Benjamin up for another turn as Arizona's lead back if he can overcome his own foot concern.
Oct 18, 2022 1:34 PM EST
Benjamin was listed as limited on Monday's practice estimate due to a foot injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: With James Conner (ribs) and Darrel Williams (knee) sidelined Sunday at Seattle, Benjamin paced Arizona's backfield to the tune of an 87-percent share of offensive snaps (62 of 71) en route to 18 touches for 65 yards from scrimmage. As for the other healthy RBs, rookie Keaontay Ingram took three carries for seven yards on nine plays on offense, while Corey Clement was used exclusively on special teams. Now, Benjamin is dealing with an injury of his own, though he at least would have practiced if the Cardinals had held a session Monday, which can't be said for DNPs Conner and Williams. The next few days of prep will determine if Benjamin again is in line to be the team's primary back Thursday against the Saints.
Oct 17, 2022 2:23 PM EST
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