Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is a top-five quarterback play when the Cardinals travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers. Murray hasn't lit up the box score in recent weeks, but his Week 15 performance against the Patriots was a step toward returning to his usual output. He kept the ball clean last week, ending his streak of three games with a turnover. The Panthers' defense ranks 27th in points allowed to opposing quarterbacks in fantasy. It will be a colder game in Carolina, which could be an adjustment for the Cardinals' offense, but Murray has played well in cold games throughout his career. The matchup with the Panthers' defense and Murray's rushing ability make him a desirable start in fantasy in Week 16.

Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (undisclosed) was added to the final injury report on Friday for Week 16 action and is considered questionable to play on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Rookie Trey Benson (ankle) has already been ruled out, and Emari Demercado (back) was placed on Injured Reserve, so starter James Conner is now the only healthy RB on the team's roster at the moment. At this point, it would be a surprise if Arizona didn't promote both Michael Carter and Tony Jones from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster for the weekend. The 26-year-old Dallas had a season-high four carries for 15 yards in last week's win over the New England Patriots with Benson getting injured. Even if Dallas manages to get the green light to play on Sunday in Carolina, he will not have any standalone fantasy appeal.

Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. Benson, a rookie, has consistently operated as the Cardinals' No. 2 running back behind James Conner, totaling 291 rushing yards, 59 receiving yards, and one touchdown this year. With Benson sidelined and Emari Demercado (back) on injured reserve, the Cardinals will call upon DeeJay Dallas to back up Conner in Week 16. For fantasy purposes, Conner, who was the overall RB1 last week, is the only Arizona running back worth rostering and starting on Sunday.

Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Trey Benson (ankle) was labeled as a non-participant for the team's first practice ahead of Week 16. The rookie picked up the injury in last Sunday's 30-17 win over the New England Patriots late in the fourth quarter and did not return to the contest. It's not the best start to the week for Benson. He'll have another two opportunities to upgrade his practice status before the Cardinals take on the Carolina Panthers in a road tilt this weekend. With teammate Emari Demercado (back) on Injured Reserve, Arizona would be down to just James Conner and DeeJay Dallas manning the backfield if Benson was not healthy enough to suit up against Carolina. Conner would likely absorb more touches than usual if that's the case.

The Arizona Cardinals are opening kicker Matt Prater's (knee) 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. Prater had surgery in October to fix the meniscus in his left knee and will be back on the practice field for the first time since Week 6. Given the 40-year-old veteran's long absence, there's no guarantee that he will return to game action this Sunday in Carolina versus the Panthers. If the Cardinals like what they see from Prater in practice this week, though, they'll have to activate him from IR by Saturday if they want him as their placekicker this weekend. Chad Ryland has filled in for Prater the last 10 games and has made 22 of his 26 field-goal attempts and all 18 of his extra-point tries. Prater will be a risky fantasy play if he returns, while Ryland should be considered a streaming option in deeper leagues if Prater is held out.