Cardinals Running Back Trey Benson Unlikely to Play in Week 9

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson will miss at least the upcoming game against the Dallas Cowboys on November 3. Benson, who was placed on injured reserve after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on October 1, has not played for three games. According to league rules, a player on injured reserve must sit out a minimum of four games.

Benson’s recovery timeline from the knee surgery is estimated at four to six weeks. His earliest possible return would be in Week 10, but that is uncertain. As more weeks pass, it appears that fantasy football owners will be without Benson for at least two more games. If he returns in Week 10, he may not be at full capacity, and will likely face some limitations.

With Benson sidelined, the Cardinals are counting on fellow running back Zonovan “Bam” Knight to shoulder the workload. Knight is expected to start and will have plenty of opportunities against a struggling Cowboys defense that ranks as one of the worst in the NFL, allowing the second-most points to running backs this season.

The Cardinals released running back Michael Carter during their bye week, making Knight an obvious choice for heavy carries. Fantasy owners interested in Knight should act quickly to ensure he is not available in their leagues.

Emari Demercado, another running back, might provide some depth, but has been largely uninspiring this season. He only played well in one game before getting injured and is unlikely to be a reliable option moving forward, even as he may fill in during passing downs.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Benson’s return, head coach Jonathan Gannon remains hopeful about having him back at some point this season. As the Cardinals struggle with a 2-5 record and sit at the bottom of the NFC West, Benson’s return could provide a much-needed boost to their struggling offense.