James Conner was one of fantasy football’s biggest surprises last year, but he’s morphed into one of the biggest disappointments this season. Now, the veteran running back is hampered by a rib injury that could keep him out of Week 7’s Saints-Cardinals Thursday Night Football showdown. Even though Conner has been mediocre (at best) this year, updates on his status will have a big effect on early-week start ’em, sit ’em decisions, as backup Eno Benjamin showed last week that he’s a capable fill-in if Conner can’t go.
We’ll continue to update this article with news on Conner until the official active/inactive report comes out on Thursday around 6:50 p.m. ET.
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Is James Conner playing Thursday night Week 7?
Conner (ribs) failed to practice last week, which casts a lot of doubt on his ability to suit up on Thursday against New Orleans. With Darrel Williams (ankle) also out, Eno Benjamin started and handled all but three of the Cardinals’ RB carries. He totaled just 65 yards on 18 touches, but clearly, he’ll lead the way if Conner is out again.
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Conner will be a low-end RB2/high-end flex if active despite the Saints’ relatively solid run defense. New Orleans is middle of the pack in terms of fantasy points allowed to RBs (20.4) and rushing yards allowed per game (120.8), but Conner has averaged 16.3 touches in the three full games in which he’s played this year, so the opportunities will be there for him to accumulate yards and find the end zone. Given a tough set of byes (Rams, Bills, Vikings, Eagles) and all the other injuries around the league, running backs with solid floors have value.
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If Conner and Williams are out, Benjamin will have a similar outlook. Things would get tricky if Conner is inactive but Williams plays. Considering Williams was ruled out earlier than Conner last week, we’re not expecting that scenario to play out, but if it does, consider Benjamin a high-end flex and Williams a low-end, boom-or-bust flex.
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Arizona’s RB situation shouldn’t have a big effect on Kyler Murray. Marquise Brown (ankle) is on the “doubtful” side of “questionable,” but the return of DeAndre Hopkins (suspension) should boost Arizona’s pass offense. It’s possible that Murray tucks and runs more often with no Conner, but based on Benjamin’s 15 carries last week, that shouldn’t be the case.
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