With James Conner Out For Season, Cardinals Turn To Trey Benson

Veteran running back to have surgery on his foot

Sep 22, 2025 at 05:14 PM

Darren Urban

azcardinals.com

Running back James Conner carries the ball prior to suffering a season-ending foot injury against the 49ers on Sunday.

Trey Benson has said many times how much he has learned from James Conner since being drafted last year.

Now the running back needs to use that knowledge to keep the Cardinals running game going since Conner will no longer be available.

"He'll be my motivation for the rest of the season," Benson said.

Coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed Monday that Conner is indeed done for the season. The veteran will need surgery on his right foot – not the ankle, as originally announced – and will work to return in 2026.

"You hate that it happens," Gannon said. "I know he'll take the right attitude and bounce back.

"Taking up that slack, both the player and the person, we'll all have to collectively do it."

That leaves the backfield to Benson to begin with. The rest of the running back room includes Emari Demercado and Bam Knight. Once Conner goes on Injured Reserve, it wouldn't be a surprise to see veteran Michael Carter elevated to the roster from the practice squad. Gannon, to that possibility, said Carter's situation is to be determined.

The Cardinals, after defensive lineman L.J. Collier went on IR last week, have an open spot on the 53-man roster already.

On the season, Benson has a team-leading 125 yards on 21 carries, a 6.0-average, in support of Conner. Conner had 95 yards on 32 carries.

"I could've been more decisive, but it takes time," Benson said of his game against the 49ers. "It's my second year in the league. There is room for improvement."

#AZCardinals come out for James Conner, who leaves on a cart. Conner is the team’s emotional bellwether. They are going to have to overcome that now. pic.twitter.com/rhenfurYyP
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) September 21, 2025

Benson has broken off runs of 52- and 29-yards already. He has an explosive game if he can get loose. But the Cardinals are still struggling to get a consistent running game. Both Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing continue to reiterate there is no single thing that is the culprit – Petzing just said "no" when asked if the ground game has been hurt after former run game coordinator Klayton Adams went to Dallas to be offensive coordinator.

"I feel terrible for (James)," Petzing said. "Past that, I feel really good about the group. Trey, Emari, Bam, to pick up the slack knowing there were times in the last two years James has not been out there and they have stepped up.

"We need that to happen this year."

Losing a stalwart like Conner hurts. Gannon acknowledged losing any player can sting the locker room, but one like Conner can hover over a team.

"Heavy is the crown and he does wear a big crown," Gannon said.

"He's the kind of guy you want in your foxhole," defensive lineman Calais Campbell said.

The Cardinals have 14 games left. This isn't like 2024, when Conner missed games at the end of the season with a knee injury. The majority of this season is in front of the team. And it's Benson's world now.

"I feel I'll be ready for the task," Benson said.

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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025 in Santa Clara, CA.