Fantasy Football News

Cardinals RB James Conner will begin his 10th season on injured reserve, designated to return, per Cardinals beat reporter John Gambadoro. The veteran back will miss at least the first four games to open the 2026 campaign.

Cardinals HC Mike LaFleur admitted Wednesday that it's "too early to tell" whether RB James Conner will be available for Week 1. Conner continues to work back from last September's season-ending right ankle injury. He's "progressing well," LaFleur added.

RB Jeremiyah Love got his first preseason action Thursday night in the Cardinals' second exhibition, and they worked him like a lead back against the Raiders. The third overall pick racked up 14 first-half touches: 11 carries for 58 yards (5.3 per rush) and 3 receptions for 14 yards on three targets. Love also came away from the game with a minor ankle injury, but it appears we don't need to worry about that.

SI's Albert Breer visited Cardinals training camp this week and says that you might want to temper your expectations for rookie RB Jeremiyah Love's workload.

Arizona showed us what it thinks of RB Jeremiyah Love’s talent by drafting him third overall this spring, to a team with plenty of needs. But coaches aren’t doing anything to anoint him an immediate backfield leader at the start of camp. Free-agent addition Tyler Allgeier reportedly opened with the starters at the team’s first open practice, and OC Nathaniel Hackett mentioned James Conner first when asked broadly about the outlook for his 2026 backfield.

The Cardinals selected RB Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. He's the first RB selected in the top 5 since Saquon Barkley in 2018. Love dominated as a two-year starter at Notre Dame, averaging 6.9 yards per carry over that span. He also led the FBS with 40 total TDs. The 212-pounder was the clear RB1 in this class. Among the 20 RBs invited to the NFL Combine, Love ranked fourth in 2025 rushing market share (55.9%) and first in yards after contact per attempt (4.5). He ranked second in 2025 in missed tackles forced per attempt (0.28) and third in receiving yards per route run (1.83).

RB Tyler Allgeier signed a two-year, $12.25 million contract with the Cardinals, joining James Conner and Trey Benson. After serving as the backup to Bijan Robinson over the past three seasons, Allgeier will compete for carries in a crowded situation. Conner took a paycut to stay with the Cardinals, so Allgeier could lead the backfield in touches. But this certainly wasn't the ideal signing for Allgeier's fantasy value in 2026.

RB James Conner and the Cardinals have agreed to a revised contract to keep him in Arizona for the 2026 season. "Conner was set to earn $6.39 million in 2026 with a $9.83 million cap hit. To avoid being released for cap savings, Conner's deal was revised," ESPN's Josh Weinfuss writes.

The Cardinals believe RB James Conner's right ankle injury is season-ending, although that prognosis isn't yet official, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. It certainly looked like a season-ender when Conner had to be carted off the field in the loss to the 49ers. We should get final confirmation on Monday.

Update: ESPN's Adam Schefter now confirms that Conner will need season-ending surgery. "The injury is considered 'severe,' even if the team does not yet know the full extent of the damage," Schefter adds.

Cardinals RB James Conner was carted off in the third quarter of Sunday's game vs. the 49ers. The injury was gruesome enough that the broadcast did not show the replay. We'll update Conner's status when we know more, but this looks like a season-ender. That'd turn Trey Benson into Arizona's clear lead back and fantasy starter.

Update: Conner has been ruled out with an ankle injury.

Cardinals RB Trey Benson was more involved than expected in Sunday's season-opening win over the Saints. He finished with eight carries and one target, while RB James Conner tallied 12 carries and four targets. Benson finished with 69 yards on his eight totes -- although 52 of those yards came on one run. He averaged just 2.4 yards per carry on his other seven carries. Conner also found little room to run, averaging 3.3 yards on his 12 attempts. He saved his fantasy day with a four-yard receiving score on a shovel pass in the second quarter.

"Absolutely." That was Cardinals OC Drew Petzing's response when asked Monday whether RB James Conner is still the team's workhorse. "I think James has proven that over the last couple years," Petzing added. "Just the way he carries the ball and what he brings to the offense. I think that’s always gonna be the case.”

Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon said RB James Conner is "getting himself ready to carry the load for us."

Cardinals RB James Conner (knee) won't play in this weekend's game vs. the 49ers, HC Jonathan Gannon said Wednesday. RB Trey Benson (ankle) was placed on IR on Tuesday, leaving Michael Carter as Arizona's lead back for the finale. He out-touched RB DeeJay Dallas 15-1 in last week's loss to the Rams and sits surprisingly high in the Week 18 RB Rankings.

Cardinals RB James Conner (knee) is active for tonight’s game vs. the Rams. RB Trey Benson (ankle) is inactive, leaving RBs Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas behind Conner. Conner was limited in practice all week and listed as questionable after hurting his knee six days ago. He won’t be at 100% tonight and could have his touches scaled back with the Cardinals eliminated from postseason contention. Check your Team Intel page to see if Conner belongs in your starting lineup.