The Arizona Cardinals have made their call on rookie running back Trey Benson - and it’s not the news he or the team was hoping for. Head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed Wednesday that Benson will not be activated from injured reserve, officially ending his 2025 season.
This decision comes just ahead of the 21-day deadline the team had after designating Benson to return. Once that window closed, the Cardinals had to either activate him or shut him down for the year. Unfortunately for Benson, it’s the latter.
The move isn’t exactly a shock. There were signs in recent weeks that things weren’t trending in the right direction.
After initially participating in practice on a limited basis, Benson’s activity tapered off - eventually becoming a non-participant. That kind of drop-off usually points to a setback, and in this case, it proved to be just that.
With Benson sidelined, Arizona will continue leaning on a backfield rotation that’s been patchwork since injuries began piling up. Bam Knight has taken the reins as the lead back, while Michael Carter has provided depth and versatility. Emari Demercado is expected to rejoin the mix once he’s healthy, giving the Cardinals a trio of backs to work with down the stretch.
But make no mistake - this is a tough blow for Benson. A third-round pick in 2024, he came into the league with a lot of promise, but injuries have kept him from gaining any real traction during his first two seasons.
That makes 2026 a critical year for the Florida State product. He’ll need to prove he can stay healthy and deliver on the upside that made him a Day 2 selection.
The challenge? The Cardinals’ backfield picture isn’t exactly wide open.
James Conner is still under contract, and while the veteran dealt with a significant injury earlier this year, he’s been a steady presence when healthy. Whether Conner remains in Arizona next season is still up in the air - he’s a potential cut candidate - but his presence complicates Benson’s path to a starting role.
For now, the focus shifts to the remaining weeks of the season and how the Cardinals manage their run game without Benson. But looking ahead, the pressure will be on the young back to make a leap next year. Two seasons in, the clock is starting to tick - and 2026 could be his make-or-break moment in the desert.