Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has had quite the rough stretch over his past seven games and is currently the QB11 on the season. Since Week 9, he's finished as a QB1 just two times, a QB2 three times, and finished even worse in the other two. They face off against their divisional foe, the Los Angeles Rams, in Week 17, and they've been improving on the defensive side of the ball. Murray finished as the overall QB1 the last time these two teams faced off in Week 2, but the tides have changed considerably. Murray holds QB2 value going into this matchup.

Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (knee) was limited in practice all week but was ruled out on Friday for the team's Week 17 divisional contest against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night. Prater had his 21-day practice window opened to return from Injured Reserve last weekend and has been limited in six practices. However, the 40-year-old will not be activated from IR, and with the regular-season finale being next weekend with the Cardinals eliminated from the playoff picture, we have a suspicion that he will not play again this year. With Prater out again this weekend against the Rams, Chad Ryland will once again fill in as the starting placekicker. In an inconsistent Arizona offense now with nothing left to play for but pride, Ryland won't be a recommended fantasy starter in Week 17. The 25-year-old has made 25 of his 29 field-goal tries and all 21 of his extra points in 11 games with Arizona in 2024.

Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Trey Benson (ankle) was limited in practice all week and is considered questionable to play in Week 17 on Saturday night against the hosting division-rival Los Angeles Rams. Lead back James Conner (knee) was also limited in practice all week and questionable for Week 17. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said he's uncertain about the statuses of both Conner and Benson heading into Saturday night. Benson, who did not play in the team's Week 16 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers, would only be worth a look in fantasy as an RB3/flex if he returns and Conner is ruled out. If both Arizona backs are unable to gain clearance, the Cardinals would likely split the backfield touches amongst DeeJay Dallas and Michael Carter. The 21-year-old Benson is averaging 4.6 yards per carry in his first 13 NFL games, but he's been afforded only 63 carries behind Conner.

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The lead back sustained the injury during last weekend's game against the Carolina Panthers. Conner remained a limited participant during practice, which is a promising sign. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status leading up to kickoff as No.2 running back Trey Benson (ankle) is also listed as questionable. Over his past three games, Conner has averaged an impressive 26.5 PPR points per game and found the end zone four times over this stretch. If Conner is active, fantasy managers should feel confident starting him in all formats as an RB2. If both Conner and Benson cannot play, Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas would operate in a committee and are viable flex options.

Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (ankle) is practicing for a third consecutive day on Thursday after missing last week's game against the Carolina Panthers due to an ankle injury. The rookie out of Florida State could be in line for more work if James Conner (knee) cannot play or is limited, but fantasy managers will have to see what their official game designations are later on Thursday and 90 minutes before kickoff on Saturday. The Rams present a neutral matchup for fantasy running backs, so if Benson earns a spot start, he should be considered an RB2 option for fantasy football championship matchups.