The Arizona Cardinals had hopes of getting rookie running back Trey Benson back on the field in Week 13. After practicing on Wednesday, it looked like he was trending in the right direction.
But when he missed both Thursday and Friday sessions, it became clear he wasn’t quite ready. Benson has been sidelined since Week 4 with a knee injury, and now his status for Week 14 is also in doubt.
There’s some chatter that Benson may have had a setback during practice last week, though nothing’s been confirmed. What we do know is that the Cardinals are up against the clock. The 21-day window to activate him from injured reserve is closing fast, and the team has a decision to make.
The Cardinals view Benson as their future lead back, and the plan has always been for him to take over the starting role once healthy. That opportunity opened up when James Conner went down earlier this season.
Benson got the nod to start in Week 4, but unfortunately, that’s when the knee injury hit. So while we haven’t seen much of him in regular-season action, the coaching staff has made it clear they trust his all-around skill set - both as a runner and as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.
That versatility is what makes Benson such an intriguing piece moving forward. If he returns at full strength, he has the potential to be a true workhorse - the kind of back who rarely comes off the field.
And for fantasy managers eyeing the playoffs, that kind of volume is gold. A healthy Benson could be a difference-maker down the stretch.
In the meantime, the Cardinals have leaned on Emari Demercado and, more recently, Zonovan Knight to carry the load. Knight, in particular, has quietly carved out a productive role.
Over the last three games, he’s posted double-digit fantasy points each week, finding the end zone in all three. His Week 13 performance - 62 rushing yards, three catches for 36 yards, and a touchdown - was another reminder that he can be a reliable flex option when given the opportunity.
But that window may close quickly once Benson is back in the mix. It’s still unclear how the touches will be split in Benson’s first game back, but the expectation is that he’ll take over the majority of the workload before long. If that happens, Knight’s fantasy value could take a significant hit.
For now, all eyes are on the Cardinals’ practice reports this week. If Benson gets back on the field, it’ll be a sign that Arizona is ready to activate him - and potentially hand him the keys to the backfield.