Conner injuries – which demanded that he be left off the field at Levi’s Stadium – was originally announced as an ankle injury. Gannon reported on Monday that it affected Conner’s foot, not his ankle, but delivered the same unfortunate conclusion regarding his candidacy in 2025.
What does this mean for Cardinals’ offense?
Since arrived in 2021, Conner has managed the Cardinal in rushing annually while he broke the 1,000 meter mark in each of his last two campaigns. It had already changed before Sunday, as Trees Benson, the second year, had led the team to hurry through two weeks and now after three with 125 meters on 21 wagons.
Benson, selected in the third round 2024, is the next person in the depth and brings 16 games from the NFL experience to the table and spent his newcomer season as a spell that leveled 291 meters and one rush points in 63 attempts. Emari Demercado is also available to cope with some of the rush load, although it will be used more as a third down by options (the red zone on Sunday to the side) than Benson. Arizona also has former New York Jets who runs Bam Knight available.
More importantly, Arizona will need to find a new method to balance his fracture without Conner, the hardcore runner who forced the defense to respect him when he got up in the back. Without Conner, Arizona fought to move the ball on the ground on Sunday and couldn’t pick up the first down when he needed one to seal the 49ers victory. Kyler Murray exists as a powerful threat, but he cannot bear the rush attack alone.
In short, one of those running backs has to prove that he can contribute enough to keep the Cardinal on schedule and to avoid getting a heavy team. We will see who steps up and if Arizona could keep your eyes on the run elsewhere.