Benson’s release was tied to an ongoing knee issue. The Cardinals described the move as a waiver/injury designation, meaning if no other NFL club claimed him, he would return to Arizona on injured reserve. The sequence matters because Benson has been fighting to establish himself after missing significant time with a knee injury last season. He appeared in only four games in 2025, a season cut short by the knee problem that ultimately ended his year.
This year’s situation for Benson is further complicated by a more crowded Cardinals backfield. The Cardinals retained veteran James Conner, added Tyler Allgeier in free agency, and drafted Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Those moves create a tougher path to meaningful playing time for a young running back trying to prove himself, even when healthy. Benson’s path to a substantial role has been limited by both injury and the depth already in place at the position.
Nevertheless, Benson remains with the Cardinals under contract. The team selected him in the No. 66 overall slot of the 2024 NFL Draft, hoping he would eventually become a reliable contributor in their backfield. Through his first two seasons, Benson has accumulated 451 rushing yards on 92 carries, with one rushing touchdown and an average of 4.9 yards per carry. Those numbers reflect the potential the organization saw when he was drafted, and they also underscore that, when healthy, he can contribute as a capable ball carrier.
The current status means Benson will stay with Arizona while he continues recovering from his knee injury. There is no guarantee of a future a guaranteed role once he’s back to full health, given the Cardinals’ investments at the position and the depth chart ahead of him. The organization will be evaluating Benson’s health and form, as well as how he fits into the team’s plans once he’s ready to return to action.
The decision to keep Benson in the fold signals that the Cardinals view him as a potential long-term asset rather than releasing him outright and risking a future reunion with another team. By keeping him, the Cardinals preserve a player who has already shown flashes of potential when he’s on the field, while also maintaining flexibility for the upcoming season.
As Benson works through rehabilitation, the focus will be on his health and showcasing his talents once cleared to play. If he can return to full strength, he may still have an opportunity to earn a meaningful role in a Cardinals backfield that is undergoing transition with new talent added in recent years. For now, the organization is prioritizing his recovery while keeping him within the team, preserving the option to reintroduce him into the lineup when he is physically ready.
In the broader context, Benson’s situation illustrates the challenge for young players who contend with injuries while navigating a competitive depth chart. It also highlights how NFL teams manage injury designations and roster moves to keep players within the organization, preserving potential future contributions without committing to a specific timeline for return.
As Benson rehabs, the Cardinals’ approach will likely involve continued monitoring of his progress, physical therapy milestones, and a plan for reintegration into practice and, eventually, game action. The long-term plan remains contingent on his health, performance, and how the team’s backfield landscape evolves, but keeping Benson under contract confirms that the organization still values his ceiling and potential fit within its offensive system.
This situation will likely be a week-to-week roller coaster: updates on his health, roster moves around the running back position, and any signs of his readiness to participate in on-field work. For Benson, the immediate priority is recovery; for the Cardinals, the priority is maintaining a promising depth option who could contribute down the road if his knee responds well and he can regain his form.
In summary, Trey Benson remains with the Arizona Cardinals under contract, having been placed on injured reserve after clearing waivers due to an injury designation. His future with the team will hinge on his health and how effectively he can resume football activity and demonstrate value within a backfield that features established contributors and fresh talent. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on his rehabilitation milestones and any opportunities that arise for him to prove he can be a productive contributor for Arizona once he is fully healthy.
