The Arizona Cardinals are facing a significant challenge with the sidelining of running back Trey Benson due to a knee injury. The team has announced that he will be out for the next four games. This situation requires a reevaluation of the offensive lineup as the Cardinals aim to maintain their performance in the upcoming matches.
Cardinals’ RB Trey Benson’s Injury Impact
Benson’s injury has prompted the Cardinals to adjust their strategy. Emari Demercado is stepping in as the primary third-down back. Joining him in the backfield are Michael Carter, a former fourth-round pick from the Jets, and Zonovan “Bam” Knight.
- Trey Benson: Out for four games due to knee injury
- Emari Demercado: Next man up as traditional third-down back
- Michael Carter: Former Jets fourth-round pick
- Zonovan “Bam” Knight: Available for gameplay
- Jermar Jefferson: Recently added to the practice squad
Coaching Insights and Expectations
Head Coach Jonathan Gannon addressed the situation, emphasizing that team performance is a collective effort. He stated, “It’s never about one guy to me. Everyone has to do their job at a high level.” Gannon expressed confidence in the abilities of the players stepping into new roles.
The Cardinals’ offense has struggled with consistency. As a result, offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will need to depend heavily on the available running backs. Gannon noted that while it’s uncertain if Demercado can handle all three downs, he is optimistic about the contributions from all players in the backfield.
“We’ll see how the week goes, but we obviously know we have to pick up that role,” Gannon added. He feels confident in the abilities of Bam, Emari, and Mike Carter, all of whom are expected to see significant playtime moving forward.
