FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

James Conner Likely Done For The Season

By Jared Smola | Updated on Mon, Sep 22 2025 1:37 AM UTC

The Cardinals believe RB James Conner's right ankle injury is season-ending, although that prognosis isn't yet official, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. It certainly looked like a season-ender when Conner had to be carted off the field in the loss to the 49ers. We should get final confirmation on Monday.

Update: ESPN's Adam Schefter now confirms that Conner will need season-ending surgery. "The injury is considered 'severe,' even if the team does not yet know the full extent of the damage," Schefter adds.

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

Conner's absence will leave Trey Benson and Emeri Demercado atop Arizona's depth chart. Benson handled six carries and one target to Demercado's two carries and one target after Conner exited early in the third quarter of the 49ers game.

Demercado has done much of his work in the passing game as a pro so far, totaling 82 carries and 37 catches across 29 career games. Benson had already taken primary passing-down work from Conner before the injury, though. So it's possible that Benson emerges as a three-down back the rest of the way.

He looks like at least a RB2 going forward and has upside into the top-15. Benson is easily this week's top waiver target wherever available.

Jared Smola, Lead Analyst

Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and in-season tools. He currently ranks ninth among 173 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.