GLENDALE – The highly anticipated return of star Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson will have to wait a little longer. After a rough Wednesday practice, Benson was held out of Thanksgiving practice with knee soreness. The 23-year-old had his 21-day practice window open last week and is eligible to be activated to the 53-man roster at anytime. However, it is clear that Benson is still suffering some pain from a knee injury that has sidelined him since Week 4.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Arizona announced its former third-round pick will not play in Week 13 vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leaving a struggling run game scrambling for answers.
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) walks off the field after their 23-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sept. 25, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Is Cardinals run game hopeless?
In the past two weeks, the Cardinals have ran for 36 and 55 rushing yards. Playing from behind doesn’t help the cause, but regardless, Arizona has no ground game. The 25th run offense in the NFL will face off against the seventh-best rushing defense. In the seven instances, the Cardinals offense faced off against a top-1o run defense, it only recorded 100+ yards twice.
Oct 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Bam Knight (20) runs against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
The running back trio of Bam Knight, Emari Demercado and Michael Carter hasn’t done enough to carry the load since the injuries to Benson and James Conner. The blame doesn’t rely solely on the shoulders of the halfbacks, as the offensive line has suffered injuries and just had a clear regression from last year, when the team was a top-5 run offense.
Tampa Bay is currently on a three-game losing streak, where it has allowed 146 rushing yards per game. Despite the struggles, the Buccaneers front is dangerous, with five players recording 6+ tackles for loss. Arizona only has two players above four tackles for loss, those being Calais Campbell and Josh Sweat.
The linebacker trio for Tampa Bay of YaYa Diaby Lavonte David and SirVocea has dominated opposing offensive lines, and against a team that just allowed six sacks to a mediocre defensive front, Sunday could get ugly.
Cardinals rookie DT Walter Nolen ruled OUT vs. Buccaneers in Week 13
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
