James

Conner

The Cardinals placed Conner on injured reserve shortly after ruling him out on Wednesday. Michael Carter was signed to the active roster in a corresponding move. Conner entered Week 17 with a knee issue and didn’t make it far before being shut down. He re-aggravated the injury after four carries and did not return. His season comes to a close with 236 carries for 1,094 yards and eight touchdowns. While it was another strong season for the veteran, he went from averaging 80 rushing yards per game in 2023 to 68 this year. On the other hand, Conner more than made up for the slight downturn in rushing production with 47 receptions for 414 yards and a touchdown through the air, dwarfing his 2023 receiving numbers. Late-season injury aside, Conner showed no signs of slowing in his age-29 season and even earned a two-year contract extension mid-season. He could cede more work to Trey Benson next year, but Conner is still firmly in the RB2 mix heading into 2025.

Conner was questionable for this contest with a knee injury, and appears to have either aggravated it or just didn’t feel comfortable. There’s a good chance he won’t return, and Michael Carter along with DeeJay Dallas will fill in for the remainder of Saturday night. If Conner is done, he finishes with four rushes for four yards and two receptions for four yards.

NFL Insider Albert Breer reported that Conner was expected to play despite the questionable tag, with the team’s inactives 90 minutes prior to kickoff confirming his report. Fellow running back Trey Benson is inactive, leaving the likely bulk of work to Conner for as long as his body holds up. Also inactive for the Cardinals are S Jammie Robinson, S Joey Blount, LB Milo Eifler, LB Benton Whitley, TE Travix Vokolek, and WR Xavier Weaver.

Conner was hit with a questionable tag after the Cardinals’ final practice of the week, but Breer reports the team expects him to play against the Rams, who are still battling for their playoff lives in the NFC. Rookie Trey Benson’s (ankle) status is considered “up in the air,” according to Breer, but even if he is active, it’s hard to imagine him having much of an impact with Conner also on the field. Conner will profile as a fringe RB1/RB2 against a Rams defense that’s allowed the 12th-most PPR points per game to opposing RBs since Week 12.

It was reported earlier that Conner was making “good” progress on his rehab from a knee injury he suffered in last week’s loss to the Panthers. After being limited in all three practices this week, Conner will have a chance to play in Week 17’s game against the Rams, but fantasy managers will want to have other backup plans in place. Conner should be a strong volume play against the Rams if he suits up, but it’s hard to know how much this knee issue may hinder his on-field performance.

Gannon said he may not know the official status of Conner or fellow running back Trey Benson when the team boards the plan on Friday to head to Los Angeles to take on the Rams, but it sounds like Conner will have an outside shot to play if he continues to progress through his knee injury. Conner was listed as a limited participant in each of the team’s first two practices to start the week and will presumably log another limited session on Thursday. If both Conner and Benson are held out of Saturday’s contest, practice squad back Michael Carter figures to see a busy day after seeing 10 opportunities in last week’s loss to the Panthers.

Conner suffered the knee injury in Week 16 and did not return. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said earlier the team will “see how the week goes” for Conner’s game-day status. The Cardinals play the Rams Saturday night, so it is a shorter week than usual, but Conner’s limited status in Tuesday’s estimated report is a good sign. Backup RB Trey Benson (ankle) was also listed as limited after missing Week 16. If neither Conner nor Benson can go, Michael Carter will retain the lead back role.

Conner exited Arizona’s Week 16 game against the Panthers with a knee issue and did not return, leaving the lead back role to Michael Carter. The Cardinals, who were eliminated from playoff contention with their loss to Carolina, plays Saturday night against the Rams. It could be an uphill climb for Conner to get ready for Week 17. Carter should be picked up in most fantasy leagues in the coming days.

Conner twisted up on a third quarter tackle attempt. He spent several minutes trying to stretch it out on the sideline but could be seen grimacing. He was then declared questionable. Conner is still walking around but is sans helmet. It is sadly looking like his afternoon is through after he took the rock 15 times for 117 yards and a score. He also added four receptions for 49 yards. Fantasy managers will take it, but it could have been so much more. Michael Carter appears to be the next man up with Trey Benson and Emari Demercado sidelined.

The James Conner show rides again. With Emari Demercado on injured reserve, the Cardinals only currently have DeeJay Dallas as a rostered Conner backup for Week 16. They will likely elevate Michael Carter or Tony Jones for the game. Conner is a good bet for RB1 production against the Panthers.