The Arizona Cardinals waived running back Trey Benson with an injury designation on Monday, ending the tenure of the former third-round draft pick according to Sportscasting. Benson, selected No. 66 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Florida State, was sidelined by a lingering knee issue that resurfaced during training camp according to Sports Illustrated. After participating in individual drills early in camp, Benson experienced a knee flare-up during team activities and did not practice further according to Sports Illustrated.
Cardinals Waive Running Back Trey Benson
Benson’s departure concludes a two-season career in Arizona defined largely by injuries. During his 2024 rookie campaign, he rushed for 291 yards and one touchdown while averaging 4.6 yards per carry over 17 total games, adding six receptions for 59 yards according to Sportscasting. An ankle injury initially shortened his rookie season according to Yahoo Sports, and a knee injury cut short his second year after just four games according to Arizona Sports. In those four appearances last season, which included one start after James Conner suffered a foot injury, Benson ran for 160 yards on 29 carries and caught 13 passes for 64 yards according to Arizona Sports. Across two seasons, Benson totaled 451 rushing yards on 92 carries for a 4.9-yard average according to Yahoo Sports.
Roster Overhaul and Backfield Competition
The Cardinals significantly revamped their running back room during the offseason, making Benson’s roster spot precarious once his latest knee injury occurred according to Sportscasting. Arizona used the No. 3 overall pick on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and signed veteran Tyler Allgeier in free agency, alongside retaining starting running back James Conner according to Sportscasting. Bam Knight and Corey Kiner also secured spots in the position group according to Arizona Sports, with Knight emerging as a consistent contributor according to Raising Zona who also brings special teams value according to Sports Illustrated. Prior to his release, Benson was listed fourth on the team’s depth chart behind Love, Allgeier, and Conner according to Arizona Sports.
A trade market for Benson failed to materialize according to Sports Illustrated because inquiring teams anticipated he would become available on waivers and wanted to avoid giving up draft capital for a player with an unproven health status according to Sports Illustrated. If Benson clears waivers unclaimed, he will revert to the Cardinals’ injured reserve list until he receives an injury settlement according to Sportscasting.
Simultaneous Roster Adjustments in Arizona
The transaction involving Benson coincided with several other roster moves announced by the franchise on Monday according to the Arizona Cardinals. Most notably, the Cardinals activated star edge rusher Josh Sweat from the Physically Unable to Perform list according to Arizona Sports. Sweat missed voluntary work and the start of training camp while recovering from a left knee issue stemming from a college injury according to the Arizona Cardinals, returning to the practice field ahead of the team’s upcoming work in Green Bay according to the Arizona Cardinals.
Additionally, the Cardinals placed wide receiver Xavier Weaver on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury sustained during a game against the Dallas Cowboys according to the Arizona Cardinals. To bolster secondary depth following injuries to safety Rabbit Taylor-Demerson, safety Wydett Williams, and cornerback Kalen King against Dallas, Arizona signed safeties Hudson Clark and Devyn Bobby according to the Arizona Cardinals. The team also released tight end Baylor Cupp and wide receiver Bryson Green according to the Arizona Cardinals.
По теме
