RADIO
One week after being eliminated from playoff contention in a shocking overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Arizona Cardinals will take on the Los Angeles Rams in a bitter divisional contest for the penultimate game of the regular season.
Arizona has a trio of running backs, James Conner (knee), Trey Benson (ankle), and Michael Carter, that fantasy managers may be wondering if they should start if they have them on their rosters.
We'll give you our start/sit recommendations on how to approach each of these players this weekend. Good luck in Week 17 RotoBallers!
Should I Start James Conner for Fantasy Football?
Yes. For starters, the injury isn't expected to keep him out of his game on Saturday. Even though the team is out of playoff contention, it's likely the star back wants to take the field to try to beat one of his least favorite teams anyway.
James Conner expected to play on Saturday, Trey Benson “up in the air,” per @AlbertBreer.
— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) December 27, 2024
Highly talented RBs with big roles should be started no matter what each week, regardless of injury concerns. Conner is the RB9 on the season. There isn't much analysis to do here -- you start your studs, and he's a stud.
Should I Start Trey Benson for Fantasy Football?
No. As you can see from the post above, he's "up in the air", meaning he has a significant chance of not being able to play. And even if he does, there's very little upside with him. He's been no more than a handcuff for Conner this season fantasy football-wise, and he's more injured than his lead back now.
More time together: Cardinals are signing RB James Conner to a two-year contract extension, per source. Conner was scheduled to be a free agent after this season, but no longer. pic.twitter.com/LIIEEtE5Mu
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 30, 2024
The Cards committed to their star for two more years. Benson won't have the lead job any time soon.
Should I Start Michael Carter for Fantasy Football?
He had a decent game catching passes in Week 16, but with Conner slated to play, there's no reason to start him, either. He could have a role if the lead back gets hurt during the game, but that's not possible to predict, and it's extremely risky and just a bad idea to speculate on.
Michael Carter BACK pic.twitter.com/QdW2CEjK4Z
— Johnny Venerable (@JohnnyVenerable) December 21, 2024
Also, he's the fourth-string back and only seeing playing time due to RB Emari Demercado (back) being on injured reserve. In what will likely be a competitive game against the Rams, there's an extremely narrow path for Carter to produce well enough to justify being started in fantasy.
Popular Week 17 Searches - Start/Sit Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 17 searches and comparisons from our Who To Start tool for James Conner, Trey Benson, Michael Carter compared to others. You can also use the free Who Should I Start tool to run your own start/sit comparisons, up to four players at once:
Joe Mixon or James Conner
Chuba Hubbard or James Conner
Jerome Ford or James Conner
Jaylen Warren or James Conner
Zay Flowers or James Conner
Rachaad White or James Conner
Tony Pollard or James Conner
Kareem Hunt or Trey Benson
Zach Charbonnet or James Conner
Kareem Hunt or James Conner
Dandre Swift or James Conner
Xavier Worthy or James Conner
Alexander Mattison or James Conner
Breece Hall or James Conner
Derrick Henry or James Conner
Isiah Pacheco or James Conner
Nico Collins or James Conner
Tyreek Hill or James Conner
Bucky Irving or James Conner
Calvin Ridley or James Conner
Devonta Smith or James Conner
Gus Edwards or James Conner
James Cook or James Conner
Khalil Shakir or James Conner
Alexander Mattison or Michael Carter
Ameer Abdullah or James Conner
Ameer Abdullah or Trey Benson
Audric Estime or Trey Benson
Audric Estime or Trey Benson
Brian Robinsonjr or James Conner
Ceedee Lamb or James Conner
Courtland Sutton or James Conner
Deebo Samuelsr or James Conner
George Pickens or James Conner
Gus Edwards or Trey Benson
James Conner or James Conner
James Cook or James Conner
Jauan Jennings or James Conner
Jaylen Warren or James Conner
Jerome Ford or Trey Benson
Justin Jefferson or James Conner
Kyren Williams or James Conner
Najee Harris or James Conner
Saquon Barkley or James Conner
Terry Mclaurin or James Conner
Travis Kelce or James Conner
Tyrone Tracyjr or James Conner
Aaron Jones or James Conner
Aj Brown or James Conner
Antonio Gibson or James Conner
Breece Hall or James Conner
Breece Hall or James Conner
Bucky Irving or James Conner
Bucky Irving or James Conner
Bucky Irving or James Conner
Bucky Irving or James Conner
Bucky Irving or James Conner
Ceedee Lamb or James Conner
Chase Brown or James Conner
Chase Brown or James Conner
Chuba Hubbard or James Conner
Cooper Kupp or James Conner
Cooper Kupp or James Conner
Cooper Kupp or Michael Carter
David Njoku or James Conner
Devon Achane or James Conner
Devon Achane or James Conner
Dk Metcalf or James Conner
Dk Metcalf or James Conner
Dk Metcalf or Trey Benson
Drake London or James Conner
Drake London or James Conner
Drake London or James Conner
Garrett Wilson or James Conner
Garrett Wilson or James Conner
George Pickens or James Conner
Gus Edwards or James Conner
Jakobi Meyers or James Conner
Jalen Mcmillan or James Conner
James Cook or James Conner
James Cook or James Conner
James Cook or James Conner
Jameson Williams or James Conner
Jauan Jennings or James Conner
Jaxon Smithnjigba or James Conner
Jaylen Warren or James Conner
Jerome Ford or James Conner
Jk Dobbins or Trey Benson
Joe Mixon or James Conner
Joe Mixon or James Conner
Joe Mixon or James Conner
Joe Mixon or Michael Carter
Jonathan Taylor or James Conner
Jonnu Smith or Michael Carter
Jordan Love or James Conner
Josh Jacobs or James Conner
Keenan Allen or James Conner
Kendre Miller or James Conner
Kendre Miller or Trey Benson
Kenneth Walkeriii or James Conner
Kenneth Walkeriii or Trey Benson
Kyren Williams or James Conner
Malik Nabers or James Conner
Malik Nabers or James Conner
Mike Evans or James Conner
Najee Harris or James Conner
Rico Dowdle or James Conner
Rico Dowdle or James Conner
Sam Laporta or James Conner
Tank Bigsby or James Conner
Tee Higgins or James Conner
Travis Etiennejr or James Conner
Trey Benson or James Conner
Trey Benson or Michael Carter
Tyjae Spears or Trey Benson
Zach Ertz or Michael Carter
Zay Flowers or James Conner
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