Team news: Arizona Cardinals | Page 2

Cardinals RB James Conner, who was carted off with his ankle immobilized, will need surgery to repair the injury he suffered, sources say.

Related players: Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, Zonovan Knight

Conner is still undergoing tests to determine the full extent of the damage. But, he is out indefinitely, the post went on to say. Benson will likely take over the lead back duties, and should get usage in both the running and passing game. If for some reason he's still on your waiver wire, he'll be a popular target this week. Benson had three catches but for just nine yards, however, he did end up with 10 carries for 42 yards on the ground. It's possible the team looks to bring in another back with Conner seemingly out a while.

Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. led the Cardinals with 44 receiving yards on Sunday, but he also had a brutal drop when a pass that should have gone for a big gain inexplicably fell out of his hands. After the game he acknowledged that he’s not playing well enough.

“Everybody’s got a job to do and I’m not doing it at a high enough level at the moment,” Harrison said, via ArizonaSports.com. “I think I know what I’m capable of and to go out there and not play to nowhere near my abilities is frustrating. It hurts the team and I need to get better.”

Through three games this season, Harrison has 10 catches for 142 yards and a touchdown, the story said. The story added those numbers project to 57 catches for 805 yards and six touchdowns for a 17-game season. Those aren’t bad numbers, but they’re not the kinds of numbers the Cardinals were expecting when they chose Harrison with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the story added. Fantasy owners likely agree. Harrison and QB Kyler Murray reportedly developed more chemistry in the offseason. Harrison's numbers could have been much better had he hauled in the ball he dropped when he was wide open.

Cardinals RB James Conner was carted off the field following an ankle injury during the third quarter against the 49ers.

The fact that both teams came out onto the field in support of Conner as well as the broadcast not initially showing a replay (RedZone did later show a replay) may tell you all you need to know about the situation. Conner had nine rushes for 22 yards and 15 yards on three catches. Look for 2024 third-round pick Trey Benson, who was already getting more work, to step into the lead role.

Last season, the Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. linked up 62 times on 114 targets for 885 yards and eight touchdowns. Boosting those numbers could determine Arizona's offensive fate this season.

Thus far, Harrison said he can see the improved connection he and Murray have had this training camp.

"So, I definitely like where we're at," Harrison said. "We just got to go out there and put it on the field."

Those numbers were far behind many QB-WR combos the story pointed out. But the author noted through camp, the preseason and a joint practice with the Denver Broncos, the Murray-Harrison connection appears to have improved. The story went on to say In the first preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, their only preseason action together, Murray hit Harrison on a 15-yard pass with Harrison coming out of the slot. Murray threw the pass on a straight arrow in front of him and Harrison ran to the pass, which was thrown between three Chiefs defenders. The story also pointed out that Harrison said the duo put in a lot of work this offseason.

Darren Waller has yet to practice for the Dolphins and it's a "tricky" situation, according to head coach Mike McDaniel.

Wednesday was the Fins' final home practice before embarking for the Midwest, as Miami will have a joint practice with the Bears ahead of the teams' preseason opener on Sunday. Thereafter, it's on to Detroit, where more joint practicing awaits before a preseason Week 2 matchup with the Lions

Related Players: Julian Hill, Pharaoh Brown

Fantasy drafters are also in a "tricky" situation, as Waller was quite literally done playing football a couple months ago before his un-retirement. He'd probably be a pretty easy stay-away if it weren't for Jonnu Smith's monster TE4 performance in Miami one short year ago. Even with the fantastic opportunity, Waller is best viewed as a streaming option in 2025.

WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (knee) is absent for a second straight Cardinals practice.

Related Players: Michael Wilson, Trey McBride, Greg Dortch, Zay Jones

This pass-catching group is incredibly thin behind Harrison and McBride, so either of them missing time wouldn't look great for Kyler Murray. No reason to panic yet but we'll keep an eye on the sophomore WR throughout training camp.

Details of the Steelers-Cowboys trade expected to be completed today.

Steelers receive 2026 3rd-round pick and a 2027 5th-round pick.

Cowboys receive WR George Pickens and a 2027 6th-round pick.

Related Players: DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, Roman Wilson, Pat Freiermuth, CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy

With the relative lack of impactful Draft compensation, it's a wonder this didn't get done prior to or during the 2025 NFL Draft, but Pickens is on the move regardless.

For the Steelers, this makes Roman Wilson a little more intriguing as he heads into Year 2, and Freiermuth should see a little bump closer to high-end TE2 consideration.

For the Cowboys, this slightly lowers CeeDee Lamb's potentially astronomical target share, but gives QB Dak Prescott a much more reliable No. 2 option in what was already projected as a pass-heavy offense with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders making up their backfield. Pickens is now more of a high-end WR3 than a fringe WR4.

Cardinals WR Greg Dortch signed the restricted free-agent tender one-year, $3.3 million offer extended to him in March.

Related Players: Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Zay Jones

This doesn't preclude the Cardinals from adding another WR in the Draft, but it does give them some insurance if they miss out on anyone until later on Day 3. Dortch is still looking to build on a nice 52-462-2 sophomore season he had back in 2022, but shouldn't be on anyone's fantasy radar.

Cardinals RB James Conner (questionable, knee) is 'trending in the right direction' for Saturday vs. Rams, per source.

Related Players: Trey Benson

Benson also seems likely to play, which presumably leaves the rotation intact for Saturday. Consider Conner an RB2 if he's cleared by kickoff.

Make that another day of practice for Arizona Cardinals RBs James Conner and Trey Benson.

A good sign for their respective statuses this Saturday.

Related Players: Michael Carter

If both are cleared ahead of kickoff, we should assume a pretty standard split, with Benson probably taking a slight uptick in work. Consider them respective RB2 and RB4s if that is the case.