The Cardinals will be without Emari Demercado (ankle) this Sunday vs. the Jaguars, but Benson (knee) may return after missing the last six games. Arizona opened the running back’s 21-day practice window and Benson looked healthy at practice Wednesday, via this clip from the Cardinals’ Dani Sureck.
Benson’s return appears to be imminent. If he plays this Sunday, Benson should reclaim his job as the Cardinals’ lead back. Knight has been Arizona’s starting back for the team’s last four games, averaging 9.5 carries per game, which is 51.4% of the Cardinals’ running back carries, but the veteran has finished with less than 50 scrimmage yards in all but one of these four games.
Knight is only averaging 3.4 YPC this season, while Benson is averaging a great 5.5 YPC in his four games, which ranks ninth among all the running backs who have seen at least 20 carries this season.
Benson got hurt in Week 4, but this contest was his first start of the season after James Conner (foot) went down for the season. Despite exiting early, Benson still led Arizona with nine carries, a 72.7% rush share and a 55.2% snap share in this contest, in which he turned into 10.8 FPTS vs. a stout Seahawks defense.
Benson is undoubtedly the Cardinals’ best option in their backfield. While this Sunday’s matchup vs. the Jaguars is mediocre – Jacksonville is giving up the ninth-fewest yards per rush this season (4.0) – Benson will be a viable FLEX play if he makes his return.
