Analysis

In the last two days, Arizona has placed its top two running backs on IR, with rookie third-round pick Trey Benson (ankle) getting deactivated Tuesday. Conner thus will finish the 2024 campaign with 283 touches for 1,508 yards from scrimmage and nine total touchdowns in 16 games. In a corresponding move, the Cardinals signed Michael Carter off the practice squad, and he likely will lead the backfield Sunday against the 49ers while DeeJay Dallas plays a complementary role.

Analysis

According to Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon, Conner may have aggravated the knee injury he initially suffered last Sunday against Carolina by being "twisted up on" at the end of a carry early in the second quarter. After the Cardinals announced that the veteran running back was questionable to re-enter the contest, Conner spent much of the rest of the game with his helmet on along the sideline, and he was never formally ruled out, though he did get looked at by trainers. Gannon mentioned that the plan going into the game was for Conner to be "full go," and the head coach suggested that the talented tailback "wasn't healthy enough to go back in" after being pulled despite Conner's desire to do so. Arizona has already been eliminated from postseason contention, which could be a factor in Conner's status for the team's regular-season finale next weekend against San Francisco.

Analysis

Conner injured his knee last Sunday in a loss to Carolina and was limited throughout practice this week. He received a questionable tag heading into Saturday's contest but was ultimately able to suit up. However, Conner was ineffective early in the game, rushing four times for four yards and catching two of three targets for another four yards, before being deemed questionable for the remainder of the contest in the second quarter. If the star running back is unable to return against Los Angeles, Michael Carter figures to lead Arizona's backfield, with DeeJay Dallas also likely to get some offensive snaps.

Analysis

Less than a week removed from injuring his right knee last Sunday in Carolina, Conner will be available to the Cardinals offense Week 17, as a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network implied he would be. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network also relayed that Conner will be a "full go" Saturday, meaning he should approach the 18.5 touches per game that he's averaged this season. With rookie third-round pick Trey Benson (ankle) out again, Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas are the backfield options not named Conner for Arizona this weekend.

Analysis

Along with Rapoport's report, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com indicated Friday that Conner -- who is officially listed as questionable after being deemed a limited practice participant Tuesday through Thursday -- was trending in the right direction ahead of the contest. In any case, confirmation of the running back's Week 17 status will arrive once the Cardinals' inactives are revealed prior to the team's 8:10 ET kickoff.

Analysis

Conner left last Sunday's Week 16 game against the Panthers early in the second half and was unable to return. However, he got in a trio of limited practice sessions this week, and coach Jonathan Gannon has sounded optimistic about the veteran running back's chances of suiting up for Week 17. DeeJay Dallas and Michael Carter filled in for Conner last week, as Trey Benson (ankle) also was out. Like Conner, Benson is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest.

Analysis

Conner made an early departure from this past Sunday's loss in Carolina due to a knee injury, which contained him to limited listings on all three Week 17 practice reports. The Cardinals held practice Wednesday and Thursday, the latter of which Conner was spotted with a sleeve on his right leg, per Mackie. Coach Jonathan Gannon told Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com earlier Thursday that Conner has made "good progress" in his recovery, but he also was unsure of the statuses of both Conner and fellow RB Trey Benson (ankle), who also is listed as questionable. Ultimately, Arizona will post its list of inactives for Saturday's game about 90 minutes before an 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff, but if either or both RBs are inhibited or sidelined, Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas are the next options at the position.

Analysis

In the wake of hurting his knee this past Sunday in Carolina, Conner has taken part in Tuesday's walk-through session as a limited participant and was limited once again in practice a day later. Conner's practice regimen has been mimicked by his top backup Trey Benson (ankle), making Thursday's practice a vital one in determining whether either or both running backs will carry designations into Saturday's game at the Rams. If Conner is active this weekend, he likely would retain his role as Arizona's lead runner. Aside from Conner and Benson, Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas are the healthy backs on the active roster.

Analysis

Despite exiting Sunday's 36-30 overtime loss to the Panthers with the knee injury, Conner looks like he still has a chance at being available for the Cardinals' Week 17 matchup with the Rams on Saturday. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said as much earlier Tuesday, and Conner backed up that optimism by being able to take the field for the Cardinals' first Week 17 session, albeit with a cap on his reps. Even if Conner makes enough progress in his recovery from the injury to play Saturday, he could be in store for a lighter workload than he's handled in previous weeks, as the Cardinals have no incentive to push him while the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.