Conner entered Week 17 with a knee issue and didn’t make it far before being shut down. He re-aggravated the injury after four carries and did not return. His season comes to a close with 236 carries for 1,094 yards and eight touchdowns. While it was another strong season for the veteran, he went from averaging 80 rushing yards per game in 2023 to 68 this year. On the other hand, Conner more than made up for the slight downturn in rushing production with 47 receptions for 414 yards and a touchdown through the air, dwarfing his 2023 receiving numbers. Late-season injury aside, Conner showed no signs of slowing in his age-29 season and even earned a two-year contract extension mid-season. He could cede more work to Trey Benson next year, but Conner is still firmly in the RB2 mix heading into 2025.

Conner was questionable for this contest with a knee injury, and appears to have either aggravated it or just didn’t feel comfortable. There’s a good chance he won’t return, and Michael Carter along with DeeJay Dallas will fill in for the remainder of Saturday night.

NFL Insider Albert Breer reported that Conner was expected to play despite the questionable tag, with the team’s inactives 90 minutes prior to kickoff confirming his report. Fellow running back Trey Benson is inactive, leaving the likely bulk of work to Conner for as long as his body holds up. Also inactive for the Cardinals are S Jammie Robinson, S Joey Blount, LB Milo Eifler, LB Benton Whitley, TE Travix Vokolek, and WR Xavier Weaver.

Conner was hit with a questionable tag after the Cardinals’ final practice of the week, but Breer reports the team expects him to play against the Rams, who are still battling for their playoff lives in the NFC. Rookie Trey Benson’s (ankle) status is considered “up in the air,” according to Breer, but even if he is active, it’s hard to imagine him having much of an impact with Conner also on the field. Conner will profile as a fringe RB1/RB2 against a Rams defense that’s allowed the 12th-most PPR points per game to opposing RBs since Week 12.