The Arizona Cardinals continue managing their depleted backfield as they move into their bye week. Trey Benson remains on injured reserve after undergoing meniscus surgery in early October. With the mandatory waiting period approaching its conclusion, should fantasy football managers expect their stashed running back to return soon?
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Trey Benson Injury Update
Benson sustained his knee injury during Arizona’s Week 4 matchup against Seattle, an ailment that initially didn’t seem serious but worsened over the following days. Head coach Jonathan Gannon noted that the team didn’t realize the severity of Benson’s knee issue until he reported soreness at the facility days after the game.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed that Benson underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair his meniscus, with an initial recovery timeline of 4-6 weeks. The former Florida State standout was placed on injured reserve on October 1, beginning a mandatory absence that has now extended through three complete games.
The Cardinals are currently on their Week 8 bye, providing Benson with additional recovery time without missing active game action. However, under NFL IR rules, he must also sit out Week 9’s contest against Dallas before becoming eligible to return.
Benson’s earliest possible return date is Week 10 against Seattle, which would mark five weeks since his injury occurred. This timeline aligns perfectly with the initial 4-6 week recovery projection, though the Cardinals may opt for the more conservative approach given their historically cautious rehabilitation process.
The team has provided no concrete updates on his progress, but there have been no reports of setbacks either. Fantasy managers likely won’t hear anything definitive about his status until the week leading up to his potential Week 10 return.
Benson Fantasy Outlook
While Benson has been sidelined, Arizona’s backfield has devolved into an unpredictable committee featuring Michael Carter, Bam Knight, and Emari Demercado (before he was injured as well). The situation has shifted multiple times over recent weeks, creating minimal fantasy value for managers trying to mine production from the Cardinals’ rushing attack.
Initially, Carter appeared positioned to seize control after dominating touches in Week 5 against Tennessee, handling 18 carries and five targets while posting 18.3 fantasy points. However, Knight has since emerged as the preferred option, earning starting duties the past two weeks.
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Given the underwhelming performances of Knight and Carter in Benson’s absence, the second-year back should immediately reclaim his starting role upon return. Before his injury, Benson had shown promise in his expanded role, totaling 29 carries for 160 yards and 13 receptions for 64 yards over four games.
The Cardinals desperately need consistent production from their backfield, as they’ve struggled offensively since losing both James Conner and Benson to injuries. Benson’s combination of rushing ability and pass-catching skills makes him valuable in both standard and PPR formats once healthy.
Fantasy managers who have held onto Benson through this extended absence should be rewarded with a clear RB2 option for the season’s final stretch, assuming he returns healthy and without restrictions in Week 10 or 11.
