james conner – Page 2 – Syndication Server

James Conner progressing with knee injury but status for game vs. Rams unknown

Jonathan Gannon doesn’t know yet whether James Conner will be able to play on Saturday but he is progressing and doing well.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon doesn’t know yet whether or not he will have his top two running backs — James Conner and rookie Trey Benson — available on Saturday when the team faces the Los Angeles Rams on the road.

Gannon told reporters Thursday that Conner’s progress with his knee injury has been “good,” but his availability might not be known until Saturday.

Conner got limited work in Wednesday’s practice and will surely be listed on the final injury report Thursday afternoon as questionable for the game.

Conner suffered the knee injury in the third quarter of the Cardinals’ 36-30 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Benson suffered an ankle injury two games ago and did not play against Carolina.

If one is unavailable, Michael Carter will fill in and be elevated from the practice squad. If neither can play, expect fellow practice squad running back Tony Jones Jr. to be added to the roster as well.

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

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 Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

Who to take in Week 17 in your NFL survivor pool

Breaking down the best strategies of how to win your NFL survivor pool as the season continues into Week 17.

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In Week 16, favorites went 12-4 straight up (SU) for a second consecutive week. The Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders were the home underdogs to win outright.

The Panthers (+5.5) scored a 36-30 OT win over the Arizona Cardinals, the Cowboys (+4) upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-24 Monday night, the Dolphins (+2) topped the San Francisco 49ers 29-17 and the Commanders (+4) won 36-33 in a miraculous finish against the Philadelphia Eagles. Luckily, we weren’t bitten by any of those upsets in our survivor picks.

It’s rather amazing, but for the third consecutive week nobody was eliminated from the USA TODAY NFL Survivor Pool contest. Fifteen entries — out of 10,357 — remain, hoping to win the $5,000 prize.

Breaking down the Week 16 selections, 8 advanced with the Green Bay Packers (34-0 MNF win vs. New Orleans Saints), 2 moved on with the Cincinnati Bengals (24-6 home win vs. the Cleveland Browns), 2 picked the Los Angeles Rams (19-9 victory at the New York Jets), 2 had the Buffalo Bills (24-21 home win vs. New England Patriots) and 1 survived with the Atlanta Falcons (34-7 home win vs. the New York Giants).

We used the Bills for our top option in Week 16, and sweated it out. The Patriots jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter and the Bills looked a little disheveled. For the first time in 9 games, Buffalo’s offense failed to score at least 30 points, which would have been an NFL record. But Buffalo rallied for the unimpressive 24-21 win despite being a 14-point favorite.

Our second option was the Packers, who breezed by the Saints 34-0 also as 14-point favorites. The Saints are a mess. Rookie QB Spencer Rattler (153 passing yards, 0 TD, 1 INT) was rattled without veteran WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest) and RB Alvin Kamara (groin) available in the pass game.

The Week 17 schedule has 4 teams favored by 8 or more points, all on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The 4 are the Bills (-10 vs. Jets), the Buccaneers (-8 vs. the Panthers), the Eagles (-9.5 vs. the Cowboys) and the Indianapolis Colts (-8 at the New York Giants).

Follow the USA TODAY NFL Survivor Pool.

– All games ET.

The pick: Indianapolis Colts

Who they play: At New York Giants – Sunday, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Tuesday at 7:03 p.m. ET.

Line: Colts -8 / Moneyline (ML): Colts -400 | Giants +310

The Colts (7-8) visit the Giants (2-13), and I seriously have my concerns with this pick. It’s never a good idea to back a road team, but at this late juncture of the season, especially since none of the other heavy favorites are available after I used them earlier in the season, Indianapolis it is!

The forecast calls for temperatures around 50 degrees with a 70 percent chance of rain showers, perhaps heavy at times, while the winds swirl at 10-12 mph. That’s bad news for the passing and kicking games, but with QB Anthony Richardson under center for Indy, less passing is a good thing. He has been very inaccurate through the air, but a menace running the ball.

In addition, Colts RB Jonathan Taylor put on a clinic against the Tennessee Titans in Week 16, racking up 218 rushing yards with 3 TDs, while Richardson added 70 rushing yards with a score — he threw 1 TD, too.

The Giants were horrific in a 34-7 loss in Atlanta against rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. making his first NFL start. Really, the rookie didn’t do a whole lot, but Giants QB Drew Lock was victimized for a pair of pick-sixes. Lock’s miscues could be costly against a Colts team fighting for their playoff lives.

INDIANAPOLIS IS MY FAVORITE SURVIVOR PLAY OF WEEK 17.

FOOTBALL NEVER STOPS
Live games, analysis and more 7 days a week: Get ESPN+

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No. 2 option: LA Rams

Who they play: Home vs. Arizona Cardinals – Saturday, 8 p.m. (NFL Network)

Line: Rams -6.5 / ML: Rams -275 | Cardinals +225

The Los Angeles Rams (9-6) are fighting for the top spot in the NFC West, and they’re facing a Cardinals (7-8) team which was eliminated from playoff contention with a 36-30 OT loss in Carolina in Week 16. It remains to be seen how motivated the Cardinals will be with nothing left to play for but pride.

In addition, Arizona lost RB James Conner to a knee injury in the second half. He had 117 rushing yards and was on his way to a huge day before the injury. After being eliminated, does Arizona push him to play or rest him the rest of the way out?

While all of that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside, keep in mind that the Cardinals dominated the Rams 41-10 in the first meeting in Glendale back on Sept. 15. Of course, that seems like many moons ago. LA won 26-9 in last season’s meeting at SoFi Stadium, covering a 7.5-point number, and you can expect a similar result here.

2024 survivor game log

NO. 1 OPTION

Week 1: LOSS – Patriots 16, Bengals 10
Week 2: LOSS – Falcons 22, Eagles 21
Week 3: LOSS – Panthers 36, Raiders 22
Week 4: WIN – 49ers 30, Patriots 13
Week 5: LOSS – Giants 29, Seahawks 20

Week 6: WIN – Eagles 20, Browns 16
Week 7: WIN – Commanders 40, Panthers 7
Week 8: LOSS – Browns 29, Ravens 24
Week 9: WIN – Chiefs 30, Buccaneers 24 (OT)
Week 10: WIN – Vikings 12, Jaguars 7

Week 11: WIN – Lions 52, Jaguars 6
Week 12: LOSS – Titans 32, Texans 27
Week 13: WIN – Broncos 41, Browns 32
Week 14: WIN – Buccaneers 28, Raiders 13
Week 15: WIN – Cardinals 30, Patriots 17

Week 16: WIN – Bills 24, Patriots 21

NO. 2 OPTION

Week 1: WIN – Saints 47, Panthers 10
Week 2: WIN – Chargers 26, Panthers 3
Week 3: LOSS – Giants 21, Browns 15
Week 4: WIN – Cowboys 20, Giants 15
Week 5: WIN – Commanders 34, Browns 13

Week 6: WIN – Falcons 38, Panthers 20
Week 7: WIN – Bills 34, Titans 10
Week 8: WIN – Lions 52, Titans 14
Week 9: WIN – Eagles 28, Jaguars 23
Week 10: WIN – Chargers 27, Titans 17

Week 11: WIN – Texans 34, Cowboys 10
Week 12: WIN – Chiefs 30, Panthers 27
Week 13: WIN – Buccaneers 26, Panthers 23 (OT)
Week 14: WIN – Steelers 27, Browns 14
Week 15: WIN – Ravens 35, Giants 14

Week 16: WIN – Packers 34, Saints 0

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

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James Conner, Trey Benson “both have a chance to play” vs. Rams

The Cardinals’ top two running backs are hurt but both have a chance to play against the Rams in Week 17.

The Arizona Cardinals have their top two running back currently dealing with injuries as they prepare for the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17. James Conner exited the game on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers with a knee injury and rookie Trey Benson missed the game with an ankle injury.

While one report suggests that Conner could miss the rest of the season based on his situation and the injury, head coach Jonathan Gannon is not ready to rule him out, and the same goes for Benson.

While Gannon ruled out both starting left tackle Paris Johnson and starting right tackle Jonah Williams, both of whom have knee injuries, for this week, he would not do the same for Conner or Benson.

He believes they have a shot at going Saturday night.

“We’ll kind of see how they go, but that’s obviously why I didn’t rule them out,” he said Tuesday. “I know they both have a chance to play.”

The Cardinals’ first day of practice on Tuesday was to be only a walkthrough, so the injury report will be only an estimation.

If neither is able to play, it will mean a bigger role for other guys. Michael Carter, currently on the practice squad, “would get a lot of carries,” and then DeeJay Dallas would likely move into the backup role while Tony Jones Jr., also on the practice squad, would likely fill the third-down role that Dallas has had the last two games since Emari Demercado was placed on injured reserve.

The Cardinals and Rams play Saturday night at SoFi Stadium at 8:15 p.m. ET.

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 Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

Cardinals HC not ruling out James Conner playing in Week 17 vs. Rams

Jonathan Gannon said that Conner wants to play and that his progress during the week will determine whether the star RB can play.

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner suffered a right knee injury on Sunday in the team’s 36-30 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggested that in most cases with this injury, Conner would not be able to play the final two games of the season.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon did not rule out Conner playing even this weekend on Saturday when the Cardinals face the Los Angeles Rams.

“We’ll see how he goes throughout the week,” Gannon told reporters Monday. “I know he wants to play, so we’ll do what’s best for him first and then what’s best for the team.”

If Conner were to play, he would set a career-high for games played in a season. He has played in all 15 games thus far, which ties his career-high in 2021. He has a career-high in rushing yards, leading the team with 1,090 and has 1,500 total yards from scrimmage, also a career-high.

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 Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

James Conner could miss final 2 games of season with knee injury

Per Ian Rapoport, injuries like Conner’s on Sunday would generally sideline a player for the remainder of the season.

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner suffered a knee injury in the second half of the Cardinals’ 36-30 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. While the team has not said anything about his prognosis, it appears it could be a season-ending injury, as the Cardinals have only two games remaining and have been eliminated from playoff contention.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport made an interesting comment about Conner’s injury in a report of several injuries for “Good Morning Football.”

“Two games to go, generally in situations like this, players have played their last down for their team given such an injury,” he said.

He did say that “we will see what Conner’s status is later.”

Conner has played in all 15 games this season for the Cardinals. It ties his career-high in games played with 2021, his first season with the team.

He has rushed for a career-high 1,090 yards this season and eight touchdowns. With 45 receptions for 410 yards, his total of 1,500 scrimmage yards are also a career-high.

The Cardinals next play Saturday night on the road against the L.A. Rams.

Luckily, he signed a two-year contract extension earlier this season and his return to the team next season is a sure thing.

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 Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

Panthers rookie LB earned dubious honor in Week 16 win over Cardinals

Panthers LB Jacoby Windmon, with some help from the refs, made NFL history in Week 16.

NFL history was made in yesterday’s matchup between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals.

Panthers linebacker Jacoby Windmon became the first player to ever be penalized for a hip-drop tackle. The flag flew with just under eight minutes remaining in the second quarter, when the rookie defender brought down Cardinals running back James Conner on this play . . .

The first flag of the season for a hip-drop tackle was thrown today in Cardinals-Panthers. Nearly 20 have been fined after the fact, but no flags until today. pic.twitter.com/wTLnhSEkbk

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) December 22, 2024

The rule, in an attempt to prevent serious lower-body injuries, was implemented at the beginning of this year. It sits in Section 2, Article 18 under the Player Conduct Rule of the NFL Rulebook, which reads as follows:

It is a foul if a player uses the following technique to bring a runner to the ground:

grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner with both arms; and

unweights himself by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body, landing on and trapping the runner’s leg(s) at or below the knee

Luckily, Conner was not injured by the tackle—which resulted in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down. In fact, he ripped off a 36-yard reception and a 6-yard touchdown run to close out the very same drive.

And luckily for Windmon and the Panthers, they came away with the 36-30 overtime win.

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James Conner sets new career-high, moves up Cardinals’ all-time list in loss

Conner is now No. 3 in franchise history in career rushing yards after he rushed for 117 against the Panthers.

The Arizona Cardinals lost on Sunday 36-30 in overtime to the Carolina Panthers, but running back James Conner had a big game. While he exited the game in the second half with a knee injury, he had over 150 yards from scrimmage.

With 117 rushing yards, reached 1,000 yards for the second consecutive season, set a new career-high in rushing yards in a single season and moved up the franchise all-time list.

He entered the game with 973 rushing yard on the season. With 117 on Sunday, he now has 1,090. It was the second time in his career that he reached 1,000 yards in a season. He did it last season, rushing for 1,040 yards.

With two such seasons, he joins Ottis Anderson and Edgerrin James as the only players in team history to have multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons. James had two, while Anderson had five.

He entered the game No. 5 on the Cardinals’ all-time list for career rushing yards with 3,547. No 4 on the list was Johnny Roland with 3,608.

With 117 yards, Conner’s total now is 3,664, putting him in fourth place, 56 yards ahead of Roland. No. 3 in franchise history is Jim Otis, who rushed for 3,863 yards with the Cardinals. Conner is 199 yards behind him.

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 Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

Banged-up Cardinals suffer more injuries in loss to Panthers, including James Conner

James Conner was among four more key players for the Cardinals to get hurt in their loss to the Panthers.

The Arizona Cardinals entered Week 16 with several key players injured. Facing the Carolina Panthers, they played without left tackle Paris Johnson, who has a knee injury that could keep him out multiple weeks, running back Trey Benson with an ankle injury, inside linebacker Mack Wilson with a concussion and outside linebacker Jesse Luketa, placed on injured reserve with a thigh injury.

In their 36-30 overtime loss that eliminated them from postseason contention, more key players went down.

Running back James Conner, who had up until that point rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries and caught four passes for 49 yards, injured his right knee and could not return.
Starting right tackle Jonah Williams went down a play after Conner came out. He hurt his knee and had to be assisted to the locker room. His injury looked like it could be serious. ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss noted after the game that Williams left on crutches with a brace on his knee.
Linebacker Baron Browning, who had a sack for the second straight week and two tackles, left with a neck injury and didn’t return.
Safety Joey Blount, perhaps their best special teams player, made a tackle on a punt play and injured his ribs. He was in a lot of pain and did not return.

The Cardinals have two games remaining on the schedule. We will see if any of these players will be able to play again.

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 Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

James Conner, Jonah Williams leave game with knee injuries

James Conner and Jonah Williams were questionable to return for the Cardinals against the Panthers in the second half.

The Arizona Cardinals had a pair of offensive starters get hurt in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers. Just before Chad Ryland kicked a 30-yard field goal to pull the Cardinals within three points at 23-20, running back James Conner left the game limping and right tackle Jonah Williams went down with knee injuries.

Conner limped off the field and had his right knee examined after a two-yard reception. He was taken into the blue medical tent. He was ruled questionable to return.

Williams was assisted to the locker room and ruled questionable to return. Jackson Barton replaced Williams in the lineup at right tackle.

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 Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

James Conner could have HUGE game against Panthers, but other RBs should also produce

The Panthers have the league’s worst run defense while the Cardinals have one of the league best and most efficient rushing attacks.

The Arizona Cardinals will take on the Carolina Panthers on the road in Week 16 and if there were ever a week to use James Conner in fantasy or to put money on his performance, it would be this week.

Conner, who is having another fine season in 2024, rushing for 973 yards on 4.5 yards per carry so far this season, will face the league’s worst run defense.

The Panthers are last in rushing yards allowed per game (173.0 yards) and last in yards allowed per carry (5.0).

They have allowed over 200 rushing yards in their last three games and 165 or more in six straight games.

The Cardinals have a great rushing attack. They are No. 7 in rushing offense, averaging 141.5 yards per game and third in the NFL in yards per attempt at 5.1.

Conner has five games of at least 100 rushing yards this season but he has not had more than 21 carries in a game.

So not only should Conner have a big game, it will probably be a game in which other running backs get carries. Rookie Trey Benson has not practiced this week with an ankle injury, so Michael Carter, who has been on the practice squad all season, will likely get elevated to the active roster and get a decent number of carries in the game. Likewise, DeeJay Dallas, who is playing in the third-down role since Emari Demercado is on injured reserve, could see some carries as well.

Conner should be good for over 100 yards and at least one touchdown.

Carter will probably be good for 40-plus yards.

As bad as the Panthers’ run defense is, we should not expect a big game from quarterback Kyler Murray. This will be a run-heavy game and it should be.

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 Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.