Updated June 5, 2026, 3:21 p.m. MT

A year ago, the Arizona Cardinals were counting on running back Trey Benson. He was expected to be have a significant role in the Cardinals’ offense in 2025. And after James Conner suffered a season-ending ankle injury, it looked like he would be the main guy the rest of the season. However, he injured his knee the next week and didn’t play again. He tried to return, was designated to return and had his practice window opened, but something happened and he never played again.

Benson appeared on the “Caps Off” podcast and revealed things about his injury and attempt to come back. It was recorded early in the offseason but released this week.

The initial injury was a surprise to him. He played the entire game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4, rushing eight times for 35 yards and catching five passes for 19 yards. He wasn’t hurt after the game, but when he woke up the next morning, his knee was swollen, so he called the trainer and asked for an MRI.

He needed surgery to repair his meniscus.

It looked like he was going to be out four to six weeks.

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So what happened after he was set to come back and began practicing?

“Me personally, I put it on me,” he said on the podcast.

He felt good when he began practicing to come back and finish the season.

“I think I was going a little too hard and then, boom, I kind of had a setback. I put that on me, though. I was going a little hard. I was trying to get back because I knew it was my time to shine. I knew I was going to come back and I was going to have the opportunity to carry the load back.

“I wasn’t trying to rush to get back, but I was trying to have a sense of urgency of getting back, and things happened.”

Entering 2026, things are different for Benson. He is healthier, but now the running back room is full. They signed Tyler Allgeier and drafted Jeremiyah Love. He is fourth on the depth chart behind them and James Conner.

We don’t know how things will play out. He has never played special teams, so being a back-of-the-roster back seems unlikely, but he might have some trade value.

But now Cardinals fans have some answers about one of the bigger questions from last season.

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