Cardinals to Make Immediate Move After Roster Decision on Monday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Oct 28, 2025 12:27 AM ET

All football teams deal with injuries, but the Arizona Cardinals' running back room has been ravaged this season.

Starting tailback James Conner suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 3, and backup Trey Benson also landed on injured reserved with a knee ailment after Week 4, via ESPN. Additionally, veteran Emari Demercado hasn't played since Week 6 due to an ankle injury, via ESPN's Josh Weinfuss.

That's left fellow veteran backups Bam Knight and Michael Carter to get the majority of the carries recently, but Arizona cut Carter on Monday, via Weinfuss. However, the club will follow that up with another move soon, per Weinfuss.

Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter (22) Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Cardinals intend to re-sign the former New York Jet. He has 95 rushing yards and a touchdown on 35 carries (2.8 yards per carry) along with nine catches for 77 receiving yards across four games played this season.

Knight has been more efficient, as he has 102 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries (3.5 yards per carry) to go with five catches for 40 receiving yards. However, Arizona needs all the running back depth it can get given its injuries, so cutting Carter was likely a temporary move while tinkering with the roster. The club also released defensive back Darren Hall on Monday.

The Cardinals intend to re-sign Carter, per source. https://t.co/VO8FVh5RR6
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) October 28, 2025

Cardinals Falling Into Dangerous Territory

Arizona is 2-5 and has lost five straight games after winning its first two. The team was on bye in Week 8, and it will visit the Dallas Cowboys on "Monday Night Football" in Week 9 before facing the Seattle Seahawks on the road in Week 10.

The injury bug hasn't only hit the running backs, as quarterback Kyler Murray is "questionable" for the Cowboys game with a foot injury, via ESPN. The 28-year-old has missed the last two contests.

Veteran backup Jacoby Brissett has moved the offense in Murray's stead, totaling 599 passing yards with four touchdowns and one pick over those two games. Still, the Cardinals need Murray, as he adds another element to the offense with his legs. The 5-foot-10, 207-pounder has 173 rushing yards on 29 carries (six yards per carry) with one score this season and averages six yards per carry over 532 career rushes.

Arizona is in last place in the NFC West, 2.5 games behind the San Francisco 49ers for third. Falling to 2-6 would put its playoff hopes on life support, as it's currently the No. 14 seed in the conference.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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