GLENDALE – The James Conner injury is a heartbreaking one for the Arizona Cardinals. Not only for the obvious reason of losing a team captain and favorite teammate/player in the franchise, but the engine for the offense is gone. Conner has put Arizona on his back for the past five seasons and has made it one of the best running attacks in the NFL, and all Cardinals fans can do is show their appreciation by wishing him a speedy recovery.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will have two choices to how to solve the absence of Conner: replace him by committee or completely shift offensive gameplan.
Sep 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Medical personal tend to Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
What Petzing will do to Cardinals offense without Conner:
The easy answer for Petzing would to slide backup running back Trey Benson into Conner’s role. Benson has the same measurements as the two-time Pro Bowler, both 6’0 and 220 pounds. The 2024 third-round pick has been in this system for over a year now and understands what the offense would need from him.
In 21 carries this season, Benson is averaging six yards per carry for a total of 125 yards. He has shown his breakaway speed on two huge highlight plays this season. In Week 1 vs. the New Orleans Saints on a 52-yard run, and last Sunday vs. the San Francisco 49ers on a 29-yard carry. Benson has the longest running plays for the Cardinals and seems ready to be a RB1 caliber player.
Sep 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) carries the ball as San Francisco 49ers safety Jason Pinnock (25) defends during the second half at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
The less likely option, and the biggest plea from the fans, is for Petzing to become a more pass-heavy offense. Arizona is averaging less than 30 pass attempts per game, which is T-23rd in the league. QB Kyler Murray is bottom five in passing yards with 165 yards per game. The offense is not taking advantage of the talent at their disposal.
Sep 14, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up prior to the first half against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
TE Trey McBride remains to be the only consistent targeted receiver for Murray, averaging eight targets and 60.6 receiving yards per game. The biggest crime for the offense is not getting WR Marvin Harrison Jr. involved. The former fourth overall pick only has five catches in the past two weeks on 11 targets.
If the Cardinals do take a shift of being a pass-first offense, then Harrison and McBride will need to see near double-digits targets per game. Petzing can’t have a Pro-Bowl tight end and a 6’4 monster at wide receiver and not center the offense around those pieces.
Jul 27, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray talks to offensive coordinator Drew Petzing during training camp at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic
Fans won’t have to wait long to see what Petzing and the coaching staff decision is as the team will face off against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football. History has shown that Arizona will remain to be run-heavy, especially with a mobile QB like Murray under center. However, Conner’s injury could be the turning point for this unit into changing its philosophy.
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
