Benjamin notched 34 carries for 118 yards and one touchdown, gathered in six of seven targets for 42 yards and returned seven kickoffs for 162 yards in nine appearances during the 2021 campaign.
Analysis: A 2020 seventh-round pick, Benjamin filled in when injuries impacted the Cardinals' skill-position ranks this season. Most of his usage occurred in games in which one of fellow running backs James Conner or Chase Edmonds was sidelined, but Benjamin wasn't very efficient on the ground, averaging 3.5 yards per carry. On a positive note, though, Benjamin ranked first on the team with 23.1 yards per kick return among Cards with at least five opportunities. With both Conner and Edmonds set to be unrestricted free agents in the offseason, Benjamin could have a more prominent role in 2022, depending on the composition of the backfield following free agency and the draft.
Jan 20, 2022 7:15 PM EST
Benjamin ran for 31 yards on seven carries and caught four passes for 25 yards on four targets against Seattle on Sunday.
Analysis: Benjamin had to step up more than usual because lead runner James Conner (ribs) had to leave the game in the fourth quarter and Chase Edmonds (ribs) didn't suit up for the contest. Not just that, but running back Jonathan Ward suffered a knee injury. It's not clear what the immediate status of any of the three injured runners might be, but if two or more of them miss any time then Benjamin might need to step up as the primary runner for Arizona.
Jan 9, 2022 6:44 PM EST
Benjamin (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday in Detroit.
Analysis: Not only is James Conner able to play through an ankle injury that contained him to one limited session during Week 15 prep, Chase Edmonds is returning to the lineup after sitting out four games due to a high ankle sprain. With the pair able to handle all the snaps from scrimmage and Jonathan Ward set for his customary role on special teams, a roster crunch will leave Benjamin in street clothes for the seventh time this season, marking his first absence since Week 8.
Dec 19, 2021 8:44 AM EST
Benjamin didn't earn a touch on three offensive snaps during Monday's 30-23 loss to the Rams.
Analysis: During Chase Edmonds' four-game absence while recovering from a high-ankle sprain, Benjamin has had his snap share dwindle in each ensuing contest, including just seven plays on offense and three touches over the last two games. At the same time, current No. 1 RB James Conner hasn't seen less than 81 percent of those plays in a given contest. Clearly, coach Kliff Kingsbury is going with his most trusted backfield option, and with the Cardinals designating Edmonds for return from IR last Thursday, his return to the active roster may be imminent. As a result, Benjamin may see his way out of the RB rotation entirely as early as this Sunday at Detroit.
Dec 14, 2021 8:30 PM EST
Benjamin notched six carries for 15 yards, hauled in his only target for five yards and returned one kickoff for 19 yards during Sunday's 23-13 win in Seattle.
Analysis: In two-plus games subbing in for Chase Edmonds (ankle), Benjamin has hovered between 23 and 28 percent of the offensive plays, while starter James Conner has accounted for a whopping 76-81 percent. The result has been 21 carries for 76 yards, Sunday's five-year catch and one rushing TD on Benjamin's ledger. With Edmonds sidelined, Conner has turned into a three-down back, and Benjamin has had little more than scraps on a weekly basis. Edmonds will miss the Cardinals' next game Sunday, Dec. 5 at Chicago due to the requirement that he must sit out at least three contests while on injured reserve, so Benjamin does have at least one more chance to be a regular part of the offense.
Nov 22, 2021 9:19 PM EST
Benjamin (groin) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.
Analysis: Benjamin received the green light for the weekend after he turned in a full practice Friday following limited showings Wednesday and Thursday, per Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site. He'll serve as the No. 2 option out of the backfield behind James Conner, who is set to make his second straight start with Chase Edmonds (ankle) on injured reserve.
Nov 19, 2021 3:19 PM EST
Benjamin (groin) was a limited practice participant Thursday.
Analysis: Benjamin has logged a pair of limited practices to begin the week, giving him a chance to suit up for the team's Week 11 matchup against Seattle. Assuming he can play, Benjamin should have the backup running back role to himself as Chase Edmonds (ankle) remains on injured reserve and Jonathan Ward (concussion) also sidelined. Benjamin recorded six carries for 22 yards in Arizona's Week 11 loss to Carolina.
Nov 18, 2021 6:52 PM EST
Benjamin was limited at Wednesday's practice by a groin injury, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: And the hits keep coming for a Cardinals offense that has had numerous starters miss game action so far this season. In the backfield, Chase Edmonds is on injured reserve due to a high-ankle sprain, while Jonathan Ward hasn't practiced since sustaining a concussion Week 8 against the Packers. Benjamin has stepped in for Edmonds in both of Arizona's past two contests, working as a complement to top option James Conner and compiling 15 carries for 61 yards and one touchdown in the process. Assuming Benjamin gets past the current health concern, he'll do the same Sunday in Seattle.
Nov 17, 2021 5:16 PM EST
Benjamin recorded six carries for 22 yards, returned two kickoffs for 55 yards and failed to haul in his only target during Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Panthers.
Analysis: The Cardinals are without Chase Edmonds for at least three games due to a high-ankle sprain suffered Week 9, giving Benjamin his first chance as a pro to get regular reps with the offense. While Benjamin handled a modest 28 percent share of the offensive snaps -- his second consecutive contest of at least 25 percent -- it didn't translate to the box score. Meanwhile, James Conner again paced the backfield with 81 percent of offensive plays and 13 touches for 64 total yards and one TD. In a backfield that has regularly been fruitful for two players this season, Benjamin should have opportunities to make an impact while Edmonds is sidelined, especially once Kyler Murray (ankle) is back in the fold.
Nov 16, 2021 10:51 AM EST
Benjamin is poised for a bigger role in the Cardinals backfield after Chase Edmonds was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: When Edmonds made an early departure Sunday in San Francisco, James Conner took on the lion's share of the running back reps, turning 21 carries into 96 yards and two touchdowns and gathering in all five targets for 77 yards and another score. Meanwhile, Benjamin stepped in as the No. 2 en route to nine carries for 39 yards and one TD. On the aforementioned score, he even trucked a 49ers defender on his 21-yard scamper to the end zone. It should be noted the 2020 seventh-round pick only had four offensive snaps and two rushes in two career appearances prior to Week 9, but the Cardinals haven't been shy using two RBs from week-to-week, meaning Benjamin should have some type of role behind Conner during Edmonds' likely multi-week absence.
Nov 9, 2021 9:05 PM EST
Benjamin carried the ball nine times for 39 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-17 win over the 49ers.
Analysis: Chase Edmonds (ankle) left the game early, and while James Conner dominated the backfield workload most of the afternoon, Benjamin got an opportunity to see the first significant action of his career in the second half and turned it into his first career TD. The 2020 seventh-round pick will need Edmonds to remain sidelined if he's going to get another such opportunity in Week 10 against the Panthers, however.
Nov 7, 2021 8:50 PM EST
Benjamin (coach's decision) is inactive Thursday against the Packers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: Benjamin has suited up for two games this season but has regularly been a healthy scratch. Chase Edmonds and James Conner should see the majority of the work out of the backfield once again.
Oct 28, 2021 4:06 PM EST
Benjamin (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Browns, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: Benjamin was active for the first time in his career in Week 5. However, he did not log an offensive snap and will be inactive once again with Chase Edmonds (shoulder) ready to go.
Oct 17, 2021 12:20 PM EST
Benjamin (hamstring) is listed as active Sunday versus the 49ers.
Analysis: For the first time in his career, Benjamin is active for an actual NFL game after the Cardinals made him a seventh-round pick in the 2020 draft. He may just be an emergency option, though, after lead running back Chase Edmonds dealt with a hamstring injury of his own during Week 5 prep. If the status quo holds, Edmonds and James Conner will be the primary RBs for Arizona, while Jonathan Ward serves on special teams and Benjamin waits for his first snap as a pro.
Oct 10, 2021 12:26 PM EST
Benjamin is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers due to a hamstring injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: Benjamin has either been a healthy inactive or has dressed but hasn't played in each of the Cardinals' 19 regular-season games since he was drafted in the seventh round in 2020, but for the first time in his career, he could be at risk of missing a contest for an injury-related reason. He was a limited participant throughout the week due to the hamstring issue.
Oct 8, 2021 3:43 PM EST
Benjamin (hamstring) will not play in the Cardinals' Week 4 matchup with the Rams, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: Benjamin has yet to make his season debut, as he has been a healthy scratch through the first three weeks of the season. He will now miss his fourth straight game, but this time with a hamstring issue. When healthy, he will continue to wait for an opportunity to provide depth at running back.
Oct 1, 2021 5:39 PM EST
Benjamin (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's contest versus the Vikings, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: As he was as a rookie in 2020 and in Week 1 last Sunday, Benjamin is a healthy scratch for Arizona. The 2020 seventh-round pick thus will be in street clothes while Chase Edmonds and James Conner split work out of the backfield, and Jonathan Ward handles his customary role on special teams.
Sep 19, 2021 11:44 AM EST
Benjamin (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday in Tennessee.
Analysis: A 2020 seventh-round pick, Benjamin will replicate his standing from his rookie season, when he was a healthy scratch on a weekly basis. With Benjamin in street clothes, Jonathan Ward is the third running back for the Cardinals, but he'll be relegated to special-teams work behind the team's top two RBs, Chase Edmonds and James Conner.
Sep 12, 2021 8:54 AM EST
Benjamin carried the ball five times for 50 yards and a touchdown in Friday's preseason win over the Cowboys.
Analysis: The second-year player was the third back in the game for the Cards, following starter Chase Edmonds and Jonathan Ward, but when Ward suffered an ankle injury it became Benjamin's turn to shine. He got Arizona on the board with a six-yard TD run in the second quarter, then set up a field goal on the first drive of the second half with a 38-yard scamper. The 2020 seventh-round pick didn't see a snap last year in the regular season, and there's no guarantee he does in 2021 either with James Conner (COVID-19.toe) and Ito Smith also fighting for touches in the backfield, but if Benjamin continues to impress in the preseason he could force the coaching staff to make some tough roster decisions.
Aug 14, 2021 6:49 AM EST
Benjamin spent the entire 2020 season on Arizona's roster but never played in a game.
Analysis: The 2020 seventh-round pick was a healthy scratch all year, with Kenyan Drake playing 15 games and Chase Edmonds suiting up for all 16. Depth running back D.J. Foster also made 10 appearances, logging 25 snaps on offense and 115 on special teams. With Drake and Foster both scheduled to become unrestricted free agents this offseason, Benjamin could have an opening to make an impression during OTAs and minicamp.
Jan 26, 2021 8:16 AM EST
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