The Arizona Cardinals have waived former third-round running back Trey Benson on the heels of two injury-riddled seasons. The Cardinals announced the move Monday by placing Benson on the waived/injured list.
Arizona selected Benson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Florida State hoping he could emerge as a featured back and potential successor to former Pro Bowler James Conner. Instead, injuries have cut his Cardinals tenure short, and Benson will hit waivers as a potential reclamation project for a team seeking running back depth.
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Benson was impactful with limited carries over the course of two seasons. But his opportunities were few as he played in 17 total games and missed all but four in 2026.
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Benson averaged 4.9 yards per carry with the Cardinals. But it added up to just 451 rushing yards and one touchdown in his limited opportunities. He posted 291 yards and a touchdown as a rookie playing behind Conner.
A knee injury ended Benson’s 2026 campaign after Week 4 just as he had an opportunity to take over as lead back due to Conner’s season-ending foot injury. Benson had surgery to repair the meniscus in his injured left knee that was initially expected to sideline him for 4-6 weeks.
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But he wasn’t able to return late in the season and finished the campaign on injured reserve. His left knee had limited him throughout Cardinals training camp, and a deep Cardinals running back room make him expendable.
Arizona selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 pick in April’s draft, and he’s the presumed lead back once he returns from a high-ankle sprain that he sustained in Arizona’s preseason opener against the Raiders. The Cardinals also added former Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier as a free agent, and Conner remains on the roster.
If Benson does join another roster during training camp, he’ll do so with lingering issues around his injured left knee.
