James Conner, Budda Baker, Michael Wilson honored by local media

The Arizona chapter of the PFWA named James Conner and Budda Baker co-MVPs and named Michael Wilson the season’s “good guy” with the media.

With the coming end to the 2024 season, the local chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America have made their end-of-season player awards. Each year, local reporters vote on the Lloyd Herberg MVP Award for the Arizona Cardinals and for the Steve Schoenfeld Good Guy Award.

The team MVP is for play on the field and impact to the team. The Good Guy award is honoring a player for his work, cooperation and insight with media members.

This year, two players were named co-MVPs: running back James Conner and safety Budda Baker. Baker is the team MVP for the second time, the other time being in 2022. He was named to his seventh Pro Bowl this week and for the sixth consecutive year.

Conner has over 1,000 yards rushing for the second consecutive season, reaching career-highs with 1,094 rushing yards and 1,508 yards from scrimmage.

Second-year receiver Michael Wilson was honored with the Good Guy award. Wilson has always been insightful and open all season when speaking to reporters either during the week or after games.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on SpotifyYouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

RB Michael Carter signed to active roster as James Conner placed on IR

Conner’s season ends after 16 games, 1,094 rushing yards and 1,508 total yards from scrimmage.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon ruled out running back James Conner for the final game of the season when he addressed reporters Wednesday before practice.

Conner season has officially ended, as the Cardinals placed him on injured reserve.

In a move that should surprise nobody, they signed running back Michael Carter from the practice squad to the active roster. Carter rushed for 70 yards on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams and will become the presumed starter in Week 18 against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Cardinals now have three running backs on injured reserve: Conner, rookie Trey Benson, who was placed on IR earlier this week, and Emari Demercado, who has been on IR for a couple of weeks.

Carter and DeeJay Dallas are the only running backs on the active roster.

They also have Tony Jones Jr. and Hassan Hall on the practice squad. Jones will likely be elevated to the active roster to play on Sunday.

Conner’s season ends setting career-highs in games played (16), rushing yards (1,094) and yards from scrimmage (1,508). He scored nine total touchdowns (eight rushing, one receiving) and averaged 4.6 yards per rush, the second-highest average of his career.

Conner is signed for two more seasons after agreeing to a contract extension during the season.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on SpotifyYouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

James Conner out in Week 18 vs. 49ers

Conner’s knee injury will keep him out of the Cardinals’ final game of the season against the 49ers.

The Arizona Cardinals will not have running back James Conner available in their final game of the season against the San Francisco 49ers. Head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters Wednesday that Conner will miss the game after reinjuring his knee on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams.

With rookie Trey Benson placed on injured reserve on Tuesday and Emari Demercado already on injured reserve, DeeJay Dallas is the only healthy running back on the active roster.

They have Michael Carter, Tony Jones Jr. and Hassan Hall on the practice squad.

We can expect Carter and Jones to either be elevated to the active roster or signed to it by Saturday. While Gannon would not say whether Carter would get the start, he noted that “he’ll get a lot of carries” and that “all those guys will have a role.”

Conner finishes the season playing in a career-high 16 games and rushing for a career-high 1,094 yards and gaining a career-high 1,508 yards from scrimmage.

Carter had 13 carries for 70 yards against the Rams in his first game action of the season.

The Cardinals and 49ers play at State Farm Stadium Sunday at 2:25 p.m. Arizona time.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on SpotifyYouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

James Conner injured same knee vs. Rams

Conner left the game against the Rams after taking a shot to the same knee he injured in Week 16.

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner entered Week 17 with a knee injury and was questionable to play. He started against the Los Angeles Rams and had four rushes for only four yards before coming out and not returning.

It was the same knee.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon explained on Monday to reporters that Conner “took a shot in the same knee” and that is why he came out. He said everything was good for him to play.

The plan is the same this week. Gannon said they would “do what’s best for him and then what’s best for the team.” If Conner is healthy enough to play and it is good for the team that he does, he will.

But Gannon noted with the injuries that there were, calling them “bumps and bruises,” he would know more later in the week.

The Cardinals first injury report of the final week of the season will come out Wednesday afternoon.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on SpotifyYouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

James Conner hurt in 1st half vs. Rams

Conner left the game against the Rams in the first half with a knee injury after four carries for four yards.

This post has been updated to include new information. 

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner entered Week 17 less than 100%. He had a knee injury that limited him in practice all week and ended his day last Sunday in the third quarter.

After four carries in the first half for only four yards, he exited the game with the same knee injury.

It was announced he was questionable to return.

He did not return to the game.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on SpotifyYouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

James Conner active, Trey Benson inactive for Cardinals vs. Rams

As expected, Conner will be in the lineup, but Michael Carter will replace the injured Benson vs. the Rams.

The Arizona Cardinals, as reported for the last couple of days, will have starting running back James Conner in the lineup. The team released its inactive list 90 minutes before kickoff on Saturday for their game on the road against the Los Angeles Rams and Conner was not included.

He was questionable with a knee injury he suffered last Sunday.

Also set to play is starting left guard Evan Brown, questionable with a neck injury.

However, rookie running back Trey Benson, questionable with an ankle injury that cause him to miss in Week 16, will not suit up. He was deactivated.

The rest of the inactives on the list were expected.

Cardinals Week 17 inactive list

  • S Jammie Robinson
  • S Joey Blount
  • RB Trey Benson
  • LB Milo Eifler
  • LB Benton Whitley
  • TE Travis Vokolek
  • WR Xavier Weaver

Blount was ruled out with an injury to his ribs.

Aside from him and Blount, the rest are healthy scratches. Robinson and Whitley have not been with the team long. Eifler isn’t needed as all four of their regular inside linebackers are set to play.

Defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga is active for the second straight week after three weeks of not dressing.

Rookie offensive tackle Christian Jones is active for the first time in his NFL career and serves as the backup swing tackle to Kelvin Beachum and Jackson Barton, both starting to replace starters Paris Johnson and Jonah Williams, both of whom are on injured reserve.

Michael Carter was elevated from the practice squad and will fill Benson’s role to back up Conner and could have a bigger role because Conner is not 100%.

Andre Chachere was elevated from the practice squad to fill Blount’s role on special teams.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on SpotifyYouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Rams-Cardinals inactives: Rob Havenstein out, James Conner active

Rams RT Rob Havenstein is officially out tonight against the Cardinals, while James Conner will suit up for Arizona

Just as they were in Week 2, the Los Angeles Rams will once again be without a starting offensive lineman tonight against the Arizona Cardinals. Rob Havenstein, who was questionable to play due to a shoulder injury suffered in practice on Wednesday, is officially inactive.

He’s expected to be replaced by Joe Noteboom in the starting lineup. Noteboom will take over at right tackle, filling in for the injured veteran. Tyler Johnson, Cody Schrader, Dylan McMahon and Stetson Bennett are also inactive.

For the Cardinals, James Conner is good to go and will play. He came in with a questionable tag after injuring his knee in Week 16 and despite being limited all week, he’s active against the Rams.

Trey Benson, Conner’s backup, is inactive and won’t suit up. Joey Blount is the only other inactive player for Arizona due to injury. The other five are all healthy scratches.

Will James Conner play Saturday vs. Rams? Injury updates for Cardinals RB

Cardinals RB James Conner is questionable to play Saturday against the Rams. Here’s the latest news on his status.

The Arizona Cardinals are heavily reliant on their run game, which ranks fifth in the NFL in rushing yards and second in yards per carry. That’s what makes James Conner’s knee injury something to monitor leading up to Saturday night’s game at SoFi Stadium.

The Los Angeles Rams are hosting the Cardinals in a Week 17 game that means a lot to them and has no playoff implications for Arizona. It’s reasonable to think the Cardinals could hold out Conner in a meaningless game, but he still has a chance to play against the Rams.

Here’s the latest on Conner, who injured his knee in Week 16 against the Panthers and was unable to return to the field.

James Conner injury update

Conner was a limited participant in practice all three days this week, so there’s no clear indication of whether he’ll be healthy enough to play on Saturday night. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN did provide an update on his status for this game Friday, posting that Conner is “trending in the right direction.”

Cardinals RB depth chart

The Cardinals’ depth chart at running back is murky at best behind Conner. His backup, Trey Benson, is also questionable to play after being limited all week.

DeeJay Dallas is the only other running back on the 53-man roster, with Michael Carter on the practice squad.

Thursday night report gives some clarity to availability of James Conner, Trey Benson

Albert Breer reported on the Thursday night postgame show that the Cardinals expect Conner to be able to play against the Rams.

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner is listed officially as questionable for the Week 17 game on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams. So is rookie running back Trey Benson.

Both were limited in practice all week and reporters who saw them both in the open part of practice on Thursday observed them moving pretty well.

We have a late update on their status. After the Seattle Seahawks’ 6-3 win over the Chicago Bears Thursday night, reporter Albert Breer appeared on the postgame show on Amazon Prime Video.

He said that Conner is expected to play Saturday night. Conner injured his right knee last week in the Cardinals’ 36-30 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers.

However, Benson’s status “is more up in the air.” Benson missed the game against the Panthers with the ankle injury he suffered against the New England Patriots in Week 15.

Conner has not missed a game this season and playing would set a career-high in games played. He already has set a career-high in rushing yards with 1,090 and total yards from scrimmage with 1,500.

With uncertainty about Benson, Michael Carter could be elevated from the practice squad for the second straight week to play a large role on offense.

Having to guess, Benson will likely be held out of the game, Conner will have a limited use and Carter will play a large role offensively.

The Cardinals and Rams kick off Saturday night from SoFi Stadium at 8:15 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on SpotifyYouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Cardinals could be down to their 3rd-string RB vs. Rams on Saturday

The Cardinals could be without their top two running backs on Saturday when the Rams host them in Week 17

Since their 41-10 defeat to the Cardinals in Arizona, the Rams have been looking for revenge in their pursuit of the postseason. In a hotly contested division race, both sides put up potent offenses using contrasting philosophies.

Once their receiving corps became healthy, the Rams used a quick passing attack as the basis of their offense. The return of Puka Nacua has led to successful results for not only the offense but the team as a whole. Nacua missed the week two matchup between these two franchises.

The Cardinals went in a separate direction with a devastating rushing attack. Star James Connor has achieved his second consecutive 1,000-yard season while rookie Trey Benson has averaged 4.6 yards per carry during his limited opportunities.

Despite being out of the playoff hunt, the Cardinals are looking to play spoiler and derail their division rivals’ ambitions for another NFC West title. However, Arizona’s desires have hit another roadblock as the Cardinals are preparing for a game-day scenario without Connor and Benson.

Both running backs appeared on the injury report after being limited all week, and they’re both questionable to play on Saturday.

With Arizona out of playoff contention, it will be a tough decision for Jonathan Gannon to risk the health of two top producers in a game that will not impact how his team’s season will end. With the recent devastating news regarding Houston’s Tank Dell, who suffered a season-ending injury that will most likely keep him out for at least the start of the 2025 season, coaches may be rethinking their approach to the final two games of the year.

If Connor and Benson are a no-go, it will be either DeeJay Dallas or Michael Carter leading the backfield on Saturday. They’ve combined for just 13 total carries this season.