Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) will not be activated off Injured Reserve for the team's Week 15 matchup against the Houston Texans, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Since Benson will not return within his 21-day activation window, he will revert to season-ending IR and will not be eligible to return in 2025. Benson suffered a knee injury in Week 4 that was serious enough to land him on IR, but was not thought at the time to be season-ending. It's unclear whether the 23-year-old suffered a setback once his activation window was opened, or if the 3-10 Cardinals are simply choosing to be cautious with their potential running back of the future. Either way, Benson should now be completely off the radar of redraft fantasy managers for the remainder of 2025. His absence ups the value of Cardinals running backs Bam Knight and Michael Carter, who should continue to see the majority of the team's backfield snaps. Emari Demercado (ankle) could play a role in Arizona as well once he returns from the ankle injury that has sidelined him since Week 11.
Dec 10, 2025 12:00 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that activating running back Trey Benson (knee) off Injured Reserve and giving him another week on the shelf "is an option" if he can't check all the appropriate health boxes by Wednesday, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. Benson has not played since suffering a knee injury in Week 4 that required surgery. It's possible that the 23-year-old second-year RB from Florida State needs another week, and it's also possible that he's held out for the remainder of the season with the Cardinals out of the playoff hunt. Benson was cleared to return to practice two weeks ago. He initially was limited in practice before sitting out all of last week, suggesting he may have suffered a setback. Emari Demercado (ankle) has also missed the last few games, leaving Bam Knight and Michael Carter to share backfield duties. Knight could be in line for lead-back work again in Week 15 versus the Houston Texans.
Dec 8, 2025 6:29 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) has been on Injured Reserve since Week 4 due to a knee injury. The team opened up Benson's 21-day activation window leading into Week 12. However, Benson has yet to be activated, and he will revert to season-ending IR if not activated before Arizona's Week 15 matchup against the Houston Texans. Given that the 3-10 Cardinals are in the midst of a lost season, they may choose to be cautious with the 23-year-old running back. Still, if Benson can return, he could immediately take over as the RB1 in Arizona. The Cardinals are currently splitting backfield reps between Bam Knight and Michael Carter, but the two backs combined for 29 rushing yards on 10 carries in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. Benson is worth holding for one more week or adding off the waiver wire in leagues where he is available heading into Week 15.
Dec 8, 2025 10:11 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) has possibly already taken his last snap this season. Benson has been working his way back from a knee injury he suffered in Week 4 that landed him on injured reserve. He had his practice window opened two weeks ago, logging a few limited sessions before not practicing last week. Per the rules, Benson must be activated within the 21-day window to play again this season. If not, he will remain on injured reserve. Time is running out for Benson to return, as he will need to be activated by next week to play again this year. Fantasy managers with an IR spot should continue to stash Benson until he's officially ruled out for the year. Bam Knight, Michael Carter, and Emari Demercado (ankle) will likely continue to split up the carries in the backfield with Benson sidelined.
Dec 7, 2025 8:23 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) has been sidelined since Week 4 after suffering a knee injury and being placed on Injured Reserve. Benson was a non-participant every day in practice this week, marking five missed sessions in a row, and was officially ruled out for Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. The second-year back hasn't practiced since last Wednesday, and time is running out for him to return this season. The Florida State product was in line for a workhorse role after James Conner (foot) went down for the season in Week 3, but Benson's opportunity has been derailed by a nagging knee injury that required surgery. He played well in the four games he suited up for this year, recording 29 carries for 160 yards while adding 13 receptions (16 targets) for 64 yards. Benson is still a good stash, as he would be the Cardinals' lead back if he returns, but that's still an unknown as of now. Arizona will continue to rely on the combination of Bam Knight and Michael Carter in Week 14.
Dec 5, 2025 11:14 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) will not come off Injured Reserve to play this Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in Week 14, AZCardinals.com's Darren Urban reports. Head coach Jonathan Gannon acknowledged that he doesn't know if Benson will return this season. The writing was on the wall for Benson to miss yet another game after he missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but it's pretty surprising that he could miss the rest of the season after it looked like he was on the cusp of a return. It's very possible that the 23-year-old second-year RB suffered a setback with his surgically repaired knee while ramping up for a return. Emari Demercado could make his return from an ankle injury in Week 14, but fantasy managers in need of RB help might want to scoop up Bam Knight right away. Knight is rostered in 33% of Yahoo leagues and should continue to see most of the backfield opportunities in Arizona if Benson remains out.
Dec 5, 2025 12:20 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) was not seen practicing in the portion open to the media on Thursday, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. Benson has now missed five straight practices, dating back to last week, making it more unlikely that he comes off Injured Reserve to play this Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. If the 23-year-old second-year RB misses yet another game, Bam Knight figures to once again do most of the heavy lifting after he had 11 carries for a season-high 62 yards while adding three catches for a season-high 36 yards and a touchdown in the Week 13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Emari Demercado (ankle) is trending in the right direction to return this weekend, though, so he could steal valuable backfield touches from Knight. Benson should be stashed in all fantasy football leagues, but he's running out of time to contribute with the fantasy playoffs looming.
Dec 4, 2025 1:55 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee), who remains on Injured Reserve, is not practicing on Wednesday, according to The Arizona Republic's Theo Mackie. Benson had his 21-day practice window opened two weeks ago, but this will be his third straight missed practice since last week, which doesn't bode well for him making his return in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. The 23-year-old second-year back has been sidelined since Week 4 after undergoing knee surgery. Benson figures to be Arizona's lead back when he finally returns, which makes him stash-worthy in all fantasy football leagues, but he'll also be a pretty shaky play in his first game back. If Benson makes it back onto the practice field this week and gets clear to play this weekend, fantasy managers should expect him to be eased back into the offense alongside Bam Knight.
Dec 3, 2025 1:51 PM EST
The Arizona Cardinals have been non-committal on running back Trey Benson (knee) coming off Injured Reserve to play in Week 14 against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, per Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic. When asked if Benson has a chance to play this Sunday, head coach Jonathan Gannon said, "We'll see." The 23-year-old second-year back has been out since Week 4 after needing surgery on his knee, but he practiced last week and is nearing a return to action. Fantasy managers who have been stashing Benson all of this time are chomping at the bit to get him back into their starting lineups with the fantasy playoffs just around the corner. However, he should be considered questionable for a bad matchup this weekend against L.A., and even if Benson does make his return, we won't be surprised if he's eased into more of a timeshare with Bam Knight in his first game back.
Dec 3, 2025 12:18 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) has been on Injured Reserve since Week 4 due to a knee injury. However, the 23-year-old was reportedly close to making his return in Week 13, and could now be on track to play in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. Arizona has relied on Bam Knight and Michael Carter to anchor its backfield in recent weeks, with Benson and fellow back Emari Demercado (ankle) sidelined. While Knight has had stretches of solid production, neither back should be much of an impediment to Benson's playing time once he returns to full strength. Across 17 career NFL games, Benson has averaged an impressive 4.9 yards per carry. The Cardinals may choose to work him in slowly in his first game back from injury, but Benson has clear playing time and production upside once he is fully re-integrated into the offense.
Dec 3, 2025 11:42 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals second-year running back out of Florida State, Trey Benson (knee), was close to returning in Week 13, but was ruled out on Friday after participating in practice for the second straight week. It was frustrating news for fantasy managers, as most owners were expecting Benson back by now, and had been holding him on their Injured Reserve spot since Week 5. With Week 14 being the last week of the fantasy football regular season in many leagues, fantasy managers will be tasked with the tough decision of playing Trey Benson if he's active, which most signs point to being the case. Suppose Benson has been dropped to the waiver wire in your leagues. In that case, he is a priority add heading into the last few weeks of the fantasy season, as he looked sharp before his injury (5.52 YPC) and was drafted in the third round of the 2024 draft to be James Connor's (foot) eventual replacement. Additionally, Bam Knight (3.45 YPC) and Michael Carter (3.04 YPC) haven't done enough to earn the starting role once Benson is healthy and cleared to return, making Benson a lower-end RB2 when he does return.
Dec 1, 2025 9:13 AM EST
According to head coach Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) will miss Sunday's outing with the hosting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Florida State alum returned to practice last week and worked in a limited capacity as he battles back from a lengthy absence due to a knee injury. Benson would start this week the same; however, he'd be downgraded to a DNP on Thursday, and will now miss his eighth consecutive contest. For what it's worth, Gannon noted that the 23-year-old won't be shut down long-term. With Emari Demercado (ankle) and Bam Knight (knee) also dealing with their own respective injuries, it could be Michael Carter and Jermar Jefferson manning the backfield against the Buccaneers. Jefferson has been active just once for the team and has yet to receive a touch in 2025.
Nov 28, 2025 11:56 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) wasn't present at Thursday's practice. Benson was limited on Wednesday and not spotted for Thursday's session. The 23-year-old has not played since suffering a knee injury in Week 4. It's unclear if Benson was given a maintenance day, but fantasy managers should continue to monitor the situation. He will have one more day to practice ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Emari Demercado (ankle) was also not spotted at practice. If Benson and Demercado are unable to go in Week 13, look for Bam Knight and Michael Carter to lead Arizona's backfield once again. If active, Benson is considered a FLEX play in the first game back since Week 4 and is ranked 36th among all running backs heading into this week.
Nov 27, 2025 1:36 PM EST
Since returning to practice before the team's Week 12 loss to the Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) has been a limited participant in all reported practices, including Wednesday's first session of the week in preparation for a Week 13 matchup with the Buccaneers. Benson has not played since a Week 4 loss to the Seahawks in which he injured his meniscus, requiring in-season surgery. In his absence, the Cardinals have gotten contributions from Bam Knight, Michael Carter, and Emari Demercado, though Knight and Demercado also began the week as limited practice participants, and none of the committee members have carved out a particularly inspiring role from a fantasy perspective. After losing James Conner (foot) to a gruesome Week 3 injury, the Cardinals' short-lived plan was to turn the entire backfield over to Benson. Now, as he nears a return, the plan may still be in place. While managers with the luxury of taking a wait-and-see approach should be in no hurry to force Benson back into their lineup following a prolonged absence, those desperately fighting for a playoff berth may be forced to start him as soon as he is made available.
Nov 26, 2025 10:24 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee), who is still on Injured Reserve, was limited in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. Benson returned to practice last Wednesday for the first time since undergoing surgery earlier this year on his meniscus. The 23-year-old has now put in four straight limited practices. He might need to upgrade to a full practice this week to be activated from the IR before Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bam Knight continues to be limited in practice with a knee injury, but he should be fine to play this weekend. If Benson is held out for another game, Knight figures to continue in the lead-back role with Emari Demercado still dealing with an ankle sprain. If Benson is cleared to play against Tampa, his snaps may be capped in his first game back since Week 4.
Nov 26, 2025 5:54 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) was seen participating in Wednesday's practice session, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. The Cardinals opened Benson's 21-day practice window last week, and he was limited in practice every day before ultimately being ruled out for Week 12. Head coach Jonathan Gannon did not have an update on the second-year back's status for Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so his chances of returning are still up in the air. The Arizona backfield continues to be a headache for fantasy managers and is also riddled with injury, as Emari Demercado (ankle) missed Week 12, and Bam Knight was on the injury report last week with an ankle injury as well. There should be more word on Benson's game status in the coming days, and he remains a solid stash for his eventual return.
Nov 26, 2025 2:27 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) has been on Injured Reserve since Week 4 due to a knee injury. However, Benson was able to practice in a limited capacity heading into Week 12 and could be on track to make his return in Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Benson is cleared to play against Tampa Bay, Arizona may not be able to afford to work him in slowly. Running back Emari Demercado (ankle) missed Week 12 due to an ankle injury, and fellow Cardinals back Bam Knight (leg) suffered a lower leg injury late in Week 12 that could put his status for Week 13 in jeopardy as well. Across four games before getting injured, Benson recorded 224 scrimmage yards on 42 touches. Even in shallow leagues or leagues without IR roster slots, Benson should be a waiver-wire target heading into Week 13.
Nov 24, 2025 10:26 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Tyler Drake of AZSports. Benson was a limited participant in practice every day this week, but the Cardinals ultimately decided to hold him out for another week. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said that the second-year back looked good during practice this week, and that they'd "see how it goes" on Friday in regards to his chances to play in Week 12. It seems like Benson is making progress in his recovery, but he's not quite there yet. He has now been ruled out for his seventh consecutive game and has yet to practice in full capacity, which is likely the next big step for him to take to get back to the field. Emari Demercado (ankle) has also been ruled out for Sunday, leaving Bam Knight and Michael Carter to split the backfield duties against the Jaguars.
Nov 21, 2025 4:30 PM EST
According to head coach Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) could suit up this weekend for the first time since picking up a meniscus injury in Week 4. "We'll see how he goes today," said Gannon. With the team's backfield at less-than-full health, Arizona could certainly use the 23-year-old back in the fold as they gear up for a home matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 12. However, Gannon's sentiment doesn't seem particularly encouraging. Benson has yet to practice in a full capacity since being injured, so you'd have to think the team would like to see him do so before activating him from injured reserve. With teammate Emari Demercado (ankle) trending toward an inactive status of his own, Michael Carter and Bam Knight (ankle) project to lead the backfield again if Benson sits for another contest.
Nov 21, 2025 11:56 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) was limited for the second day this week on Thursday as he attempts to return from a knee injury that has kept him out since Week 4, according to Zach Gershman of AZCardinals.com. Benson's 21-day practice window was opened on Wednesday, which means he's eligible to come off Injured Reserve and play this Sunday against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars. The 23-year-old had surgery for a meniscus injury that he suffered in Week 4. Benson will most likely need a full practice on Friday for Arizona to even consider activating him from IR. The team's backfield is beat up going into the weekend, with Emari Demercado (ankle) already ruled out and Bam Knight (ankle) being limited so far in practice. All signs are pointing to Benson missing this week, with Knight and Michael Carter sharing backfield duties versus the Jags.
Nov 20, 2025 5:40 PM EST
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