Will Trey Benson Return This Season? Latest Update on Cardinals RB's Injury Timeline

Trey Benson will not return to the field until the 2026 campaign.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters Wednesday the running back will not be activated from injured reserve and will remain out for the remainder of the season. Benson has not played since Sept. 25 because of a knee injury.

Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk noted even though Benson's window was open, he did not participate in practice last week leading up to the game against the Los Angeles Rams.

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Running back health has been an issue for the Cardinals this season, as James Conner played just three games before he was lost for the year with a foot injury. Benson was seen as his primary backup entering the season but ended up appearing in just four games because of his own setback.

Benson was solid in limited action with 29 carries for 160 yards to go with 13 catches for 64 yards. His ability to work into the passing game while averaging 5.5 yards per carry was promising when it seemed like he would have a larger role following Conner's injury, but he didn't stay in the lineup much longer.

Arizona selected the Florida State product with a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, and he appeared in 13 games as a rookie.

The Cardinals clearly liked his potential given the draft choice, and he is still just 23 years old. It would be anything but surprising if he is a major part of the ground game during the 2026 season as long as he can remain healthy.

At this point, Arizona is playing out the string on a lost season. It has dropped five in a row to fall to 3-10, and there is no need to rush any injured players back and risk further setbacks with nothing on the line but draft positioning the rest of the way.

Look for Bam Knight to see plenty of opportunities down the stretch.