Eno

Benjamin

Benjamin was injured after going down in practice. It’s the latest setback in a rough two-year stretch for Benjamin, who was waived from Arizona and Houston last season before signing with the Saints. Benjamin will spend 2023 on IR but has a chance to return for the start of 2024.

Underhill said Benjamin was waived by Arizona in November after he complained about reduced playing time with James Conner returning to the lineup. Benjamin had 37 touches in Week 6-7 as the Cardinals’ lead back; he got his walking papers three weeks later. Benjamin was waived by the Texans on December 13 after just two weeks with the team. He was then claimed by the Saints, and could be the team’s No. 2 running back after Mark Ingram’s season-ending knee injury. “If things work out, getting Benjamin could benefit the Saints longer term,” Underhill said. "[Alvin] Kamara will likely be suspended for his alleged role in a Las Vegas fight at some point next season, and New Orleans will need help at the position. Benjamin could be part of that equation.”

That makes three teams for Benjamin this season, who opened the year with the Cardinals and was claimed by the Texans on November 15th. Benjamin rushed three times for one yard during his brief stint with the Texans but could find his way into a role with the Saints, who recently lost Mark Ingram for the season. In addition to playing behind Alvin Kamara, Benjamin will need to earn snaps over David Johnson and Dwayne Washington, if he hopes to suit up during the final month of the season.

It’s a strange move by Houston, as Dameon Pierce is expected to miss at least one week with a high ankle sprain. Benjamin’s release makes Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale the team’s main backs going forward. Both guys can be claimed as desperation fantasy options this week.

He and Dare Ogunbowale mostly split Houston’s backup reps before Dameon Pierce left due to an ankle injury, at which point Rex Burkhead hilariously rushed twice for negative-three yards on goal-to-go. It would be hard to figure out who would start here if Pierce was lost for extended time, but Benjamin is the back with the most recent NFL success.

Burkhead was injured against the Dolphins and diagnosed with a concussion. His status is now in question for Week 13 against the Browns. If Burkhead is unable to suit up on Sunday, Eno Benjamin will likely see his first playing time with the Texans.

Benjamin has back-to-back healthy scratches since being claimed on waivers and doesn’t appear to be a serious threat to Rex Burkhead or Dare Ogunbowale at the moment. The only player here ruled out with injury is Stingley, who is missing a second week in a row due to a hamstring issue. Everyone else is a healthy scratch.

It’s a clear sign the Chiefs are not thrilled about their backfield situation as they enter the stretch run. Isiah Pacheco in recent weeks has taken over as the early-down banger in the ultra pass-heavy Chiefs offense while Jerick McKinnon has a firm grasp on pass-catching duties. Clyde Edwards-Helaire has effectively been phased out of Andy Reid’s offense. McKinnon, who has 12 catches on 16 targets over the past two games, certainly holds more PPR value than CEH or Pacheco.

In theory, this is a terrific landing spot for Benjamin. Rex Burkhead has averaged 5.9 yards per reception this season, and Benjamin has shown much more explosion than the veteran back. In actuality, the Texans have clung to Burkhead so hard that we’re not entirely sure they’ll let Benjamin fight for a real role in the near future. Still, it’s a solid move by Nick Caserio after the Cardinals mystifyingly let Benjamin walk yesterday.

To call the move strange would be an understatement. Benjamin started three games with James Conner sidelined. He totaled 223 yards on 47 touches while adding a touchdown and a two-point conversation. Benjamin also got plenty of run on passing downs when Conner was healthy early in the season. The only sign of something going wrong came when Benjamin seemingly fell behind Keontay Ingram on the depth chart last week. Ingram out-snapped Benjamin 5-1. Benjamin is a strong pass-catcher and has special teams experience. Expect at least one team to put in a waiver claim for him.