James Conner of the Cardinals active against Rams, Trey Benson is out

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – James Conner is officially active for Saturday night’s game between the Cardinals and Rams. Trey Benson, Arizona’s backup running back, remains out with an ankle injury.

Conner played three consecutive limited practice sessions this week after suffering a knee injury in the second half of last week’s loss to the Panthers. He did not return to the game. That loss eliminated the Cardinals from playoff contention, but head coach Jonathan Gannon insisted all week that Conner wanted and would play if healthy – even though he recently signed a two-year extension that kept him in Arizona’s future plans.

With a career-high 1,500 scrimmage yards, Conner was a fixture in the Cardinals’ backfield all season. If he were able to play in each of the team’s final two games, it would be the first time in his career that he has done so.

On Saturday, he’ll face a Rams run defense that ranks in the bottom third of the NFL, allowing 4.6 yards per carry. However, he must do so without missing the Cardinals’ two starting tackles, Paris Johnson Jr. and Jonah Wiliams, who are out for the season. In their place, the Cardinals will start Kelvin Beachum and Jackson Barton.

With Benson out, the Cardinals signed Michael Carter from the practice squad. He will be Conner’s primary backup, while DeeJay Dallas – who is primarily a return man – is the third active running back.

Benson suffered his ankle injury late in the Cardinals’ Week 15 win over the Patriots and missed last week’s game at Carolina.

Left guard Evan Brown and edge rusher Baron Browning are both active after being listed as questionable with neck injuries. On the Rams’ side, right tackle Rob Havenstein is inactive due to a shoulder injury. Joe Noteboom will start in his place.

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James Conner of the Cardinals active against Rams, Trey Benson is out

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