Trey Benson Says ‘I Don’t Have a Choice’ to Be Ready as Cards RB1 After Conner Injury

Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson is ready to fill the void that was left after James Conner was reportedly lost for the season.

“I don’t have a choice,” Benson told reporters after Sunday’s 16-15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. “I’m going to do it for [Conner]. He’s going to be my motivation for the rest of the year and I can’t wait.”

The 2024 third-round pick ran for 42 yards on 10 carries against San Francisco.

Given the other options in Arizona’s backfield, Benson figures to get the lion’s share of touches on the ground initially.

Emari Demercado had a pretty nondescript five-year run at TCU, and he carried the ball 82 total times through his first two seasons with Arizona. Bam Knight is on his fourth team since entering the NFL in 2022 and didn’t see the field at all in 2024. Michael Carter, who’s signed to the practice squad, offers some experience but not much else.

Benson has yet to prove himself as an every-down back. Week 3 was only the third time he reached double digits in carries, and 69 yards is his single-game high so far. To this point in his career, he has run for 416 yards in 16 appearances.

The next few games will be Benson’s audition for a full-time role, and he’s well aware of the stakes based on his postgame comments Sunday.

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