ENO BENJAMIN NEWS

Cardinals RB Conner in prime, ready to carry rushing load

Arizona's James Conner is the unquestioned leader of the Cardinals' running back room

JULY 29, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Justin Pugh says to look out for RB Eno Benjamin this year Benjamin has caught the eyes of not only his head coach but also teammates this offseason.

JULY 1, 2022 • USATODAY.COM

In Terms Of Improvement, It's All About The (Eno) Benjamin Running back has made push for regular role after rocky beginning

JUNE 22, 2022 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Eno Benjamin aims for expanded role in Cardinals' offense after improving in offseason Eno Benjamin got a boost of confidence from the playing time he got last season for the Cardinals, and had a good offseason at team workouts...

JUNE 20, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Even with Murray drama, Cards confident in team's direction

The Arizona Cardinals appeared to be one of the more stable franchises in the NFL just six months ago

APRIL 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Manages 160 yards from scrimmage Benjamin notched 34 carries for 118 yards and one touchdown, gathered in six of seven targets for 42 yards and returned seven kickoffs for 162 yards in nine appearances during the...

Impact A 2020 seventh-round pick, Benjamin filled in when injuries impacted the Cardinals' skill-position ranks this season. Most of his usage occurred in games in which one of fellow running backs James Conner or Chase Edmonds was sidelined, but Benjamin wasn't very efficient on the ground, averaging 3.5 yards per carry. On a positive note, though, Benjamin ranked first on the team with 23.1 yards per kick return among Cards with at least five opportunities. With both Conner and Edmonds set to be unrestricted free agents in the offseason, Benjamin could have a more prominent role in 2022, depending on the composition of the backfield following free agency and the draft.

JANUARY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Thrust onto field Benjamin ran for 31 yards on seven carries and caught four passes for 25 yards on four targets against Seattle on Sunday.

Impact Benjamin had to step up more than usual because lead runner James Conner (ribs) had to leave the game in the fourth quarter and Chase Edmonds (ribs) didn't suit up for the contest. Not just that, but running back Jonathan Ward suffered a knee injury. It's not clear what the immediate status of any of the three injured runners might be, but if two or more of them miss any time then Benjamin might need to step up as the primary runner for Arizona.

JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Seahawks win 38-30 to spoil Cardinals shot at NFC West title

Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes, Rashaad Penny ran for 173 yards and a touchdown, and the Seattle Seahawks spoiled a shot at the NFC West title for the Arizona Cardinal...

JANUARY 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Takes seat Sunday Benjamin (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday in Detroit.

Impact Not only is James Conner able to play through an ankle injury that contained him to one limited session during Week 15 prep, Chase Edmonds is returning to the lineup after sitting out four games due to a high ankle sprain. With the pair able to handle all the snaps from scrimmage and Jonathan Ward set for his customary role on special teams, a roster crunch will leave Benjamin in street clothes for the seventh time this season, marking his first absence since Week 8.

DECEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Just three offensive snaps Monday Benjamin didn't earn a touch on three offensive snaps during Monday's 30-23 loss to the Rams.

Impact During Chase Edmonds' four-game absence while recovering from a high-ankle sprain, Benjamin has had his snap share dwindle in each ensuing contest, including just seven plays on offense and three touches over the last two games. At the same time, current No. 1 RB James Conner hasn't seen less than 81 percent of those plays in a given contest. Clearly, coach Kliff Kingsbury is going with his most trusted backfield option, and with the Cardinals designating Edmonds for return from IR last Thursday, his return to the active roster may be imminent. As a result, Benjamin may see his way out of the RB rotation entirely as early as this Sunday at Detroit.

DECEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Snags seven touches in Week 11 Benjamin notched six carries for 15 yards, hauled in his only target for five yards and returned one kickoff for 19 yards during Sunday's 23-13 win in Seattle.

Impact In two-plus games subbing in for Chase Edmonds (ankle), Benjamin has hovered between 23 and 28 percent of the offensive plays, while starter James Conner has accounted for a whopping 76-81 percent. The result has been 21 carries for 76 yards, Sunday's five-yard catch and one rushing TD on Benjamin's ledger. With Edmonds sidelined, Conner has turned into a three-down back, and Benjamin has had little more than scraps on a weekly basis. Edmonds will miss the Cardinals' next game Sunday, Dec. 5 at Chicago due to the requirement that he must sit out at least three contests while on injured reserve, so Benjamin does have at least one more chance to be a regular part of the offense.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to go for Week 11 Benjamin (groin) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

Impact Benjamin received the green light for the weekend after he turned in a full practice Friday following limited showings Wednesday and Thursday, per Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site. He'll serve as the No. 2 option out of the backfield behind James Conner, who is set to make his second straight start with Chase Edmonds (ankle) on injured reserve.

NOVEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Remains limited Benjamin (groin) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Impact Benjamin has logged a pair of limited practices to begin the week, giving him a chance to suit up for the Cardinals' Week 11 matchup against Seattle. Assuming he can play, Benjamin should have the backup running back role to himself as Chase Edmonds (ankle) remains on injured reserve and Jonathan Ward (concussion) is also sidelined. Benjamin recorded six carries for 22 yards in Arizona's Week 11 loss to Carolina.

NOVEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Limited by groin issue Benjamin was limited at Wednesday's practice by a groin injury, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact And the hits keep coming for a Cardinals offense that has had numerous starters miss game action so far this season. In the backfield, Chase Edmonds is on injured reserve due to a high-ankle sprain, while Jonathan Ward hasn't practiced since sustaining a concussion Week 8 against the Packers. Benjamin has stepped in for Edmonds in both of Arizona's past two contests, working as a complement to top option James Conner and compiling 15 carries for 61 yards and one touchdown in the process. Assuming Benjamin gets past the current health concern, he'll do the same Sunday in Seattle.

NOVEMBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Notches six rushes Sunday Benjamin recorded six carries for 22 yards, returned two kickoffs for 55 yards and failed to haul in his only target during Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Panthers.

Impact The Cardinals are without Chase Edmonds for at least three games due to a high-ankle sprain suffered in Week 9, giving Benjamin his first chance as a pro to get regular reps with the offense. While he handled a modest 28 percent share of the offensive snaps -- his second consecutive contest of at least 25 percent -- it didn't translate into much production. Meanwhile, James Conner paced the backfield with 81 percent of offensive plays and 13 touches for 64 total yards and one TD. In a backfield that has regularly been fruitful for two players this season, Benjamin should have opportunities to make an impact while Edmonds is sidelined, especially once Kyler Murray (ankle) is back in the fold.

NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Odell Beckham's tank is running low, Eno Benjamin should be universally rostered and more Week 10 takes Michael Salfino picks the mind of a pro gambler for answers to some of the most pressing questions of the moment in fantasy football.

NOVEMBER 12, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

NFL-best Cardinals continue to evolve, prepare for Panthers

The Arizona Cardinals sit at the top of the NFL through the first half of the season with an 8-1 record

NOVEMBER 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

NFL-best Cardinals try to keep mojo vs. struggling Panthers

The Arizona Cardinals take their NFL-best 8-1 record into a home matchup against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday

NOVEMBER 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Week 10 Fantasy Busts: Eno Benjamin, D'Ernest Johnson go from popular waiver pickups to risky 'starts' 'Handcuffs' Eno Benjamin and D'Ernest Johnson figure to have increased roles this week, but both are still among our Week 10 fantasy busts....

NOVEMBER 10, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

In line for larger role Benjamin is poised for a bigger role in the Cardinals backfield after Chase Edmonds was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Impact When Edmonds made an early departure Sunday in San Francisco, James Conner took on the lion's share of the running back reps, turning 21 carries into 96 yards and two touchdowns and gathering in all five of his targets for 77 yards and another score. Meanwhile, Benjamin stepped in as the No. 2 RB en route to nine carries for 39 yards and one TD. On the aforementioned score, he trucked a 49ers defender on his 21-yard scamper to the end zone. It should be noted the 2020 seventh-round pick only had four offensive snaps and two rushes in two career appearances prior to Week 9, but the Cardinals haven't been shy about keeping two backs involved each week, meaning Benjamin should have some type of role behind Conner during Edmonds' likely multi-week absence.

NOVEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Sleepers for Week 10 Fantasy football waiver wire sleepers for Week 10, including Taysom Hill, Russell Gage and Eno Benjamin.

NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM

Using stars or subs, Cardinals keep churning out victories

The Cardinals are one of the NFL’s best teams through the first half of the season partly because they have players such as MVP candidate Kyler Murray and star receiver DeAndre Hop...

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scores first career NFL TD Benjamin carried the ball nine times for 39 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-17 win over the 49ers.

Impact Chase Edmonds (ankle) left the game early, and while James Conner dominated the backfield workload most of the afternoon, Benjamin got an opportunity to see the first significant action of his career in the second half and turned it into his first career TD. The 2020 seventh-round pick will need Edmonds to remain sidelined if he's going to get another such opportunity in Week 10 against the Panthers, however.

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cardinals down to third-string center vs. Packers

Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman J

OCTOBER 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Won't face Packers Benjamin (coach's decision) is inactive Thursday against the Packers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact Benjamin has suited up for two games this season but has regularly been a healthy scratch. Chase Edmonds and James Conner should see the majority of the work out of the backfield once again.

OCTOBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE