The sight of a cart on an NFL field usually sucks the air out of the stadium. When it’s for a guy like James Conner, it feels like a gut punch to the entire city. Honestly, there isn't a player in that Arizona locker room who doesn't look up to him. He’s the "emotional bellwether," as the team likes to say. But since that Week 3 nightmare against the 49ers back in September, the conversation around the James Conner injury today has shifted from "when will he be back?" to a much colder, more business-oriented "will he be back at all?"
We're sitting in January 2026 now. The Cardinals' season is wrapping up, and Conner hasn't touched a football in months. The official word hasn't changed much since coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed the worst: a severe right foot injury that required surgery and ended his 2025 campaign almost before it started. It wasn't just a "tweak." It was the kind of injury that makes a 30-year-old running back's future look very, very murky.
The Reality of the Right Foot
For a while, everyone thought it was an ankle. That’s what the initial reports said when he got twisted up in Santa Clara. Later, the team corrected it to a foot injury. Why does that matter? Well, for a power back who survives on contact and leverage, the foot is everything. It’s your base. It’s how you drive through a 300-pound defensive tackle.
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Conner underwent surgery shortly after the incident. Since then, it's been a long, quiet road of rehab. You won't see him on the practice field today. He’s currently on the Injured Reserve list, and while he's been around the facility—Kyler Murray has called him a "brother" and a leader—he’s strictly in observer mode.
Why the 2026 Offseason is Scary
NFL business is brutal. James Conner is 30. He’ll be 31 by the time the next season kicks off. In running back years, that’s basically ancient. Before he got hurt this year, he was already showing some signs of the "cliff." He was averaging about 3.0 yards per carry over 32 attempts. That’s a far cry from the back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons he posted previously.
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Here is the situation with the money:
The Cardinals can save roughly $7.58 million against the cap if they release him this offseason. They’d only have to swallow about $2.25 million in dead money. When you have a young guy like Trey Benson waiting in the wings—even if Benson has dealt with his own bumps—those numbers start to look really tempting to a front office.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of fans think Conner is a "lock" to return because of his leadership. "He's the heart and soul!" they say. While that’s true, heart and soul doesn't usually beat a $7 million cap saving for a player coming off major foot surgery at age 31.
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The injury happened early enough in 2025 that he should be physically ready for training camp in 2026. The question isn't whether he can run; it's whether he can still be "James Conner." If that explosive power is gone, he becomes a very expensive backup.
What to Watch For Next
Basically, keep an eye on the "roster bonus" dates in March. That’s usually when teams have to make a call. If the Cardinals don't cut him by then, he’s likely staying. But with the team already being linked to running backs in 2026 mock drafts—names like Jeremiyah Love have been floated—the writing might be on the wall.
If you're looking for a silver lining, it's Conner's history. This is a guy who beat cancer. He’s overcome knee issues, ankle issues, and "experts" telling him he was done years ago. If anyone is going to defy the "over 30" running back curse, it’s probably him. But today, he’s a veteran on IR, watching his team from the sidelines and wondering if he’s played his last snap in a Cardinals uniform.
Steps for Cardinals Fans and Fantasy Owners
- Monitor the Cap News: Watch for reports in late February regarding the Cardinals' salary cap strategy. If they don't restructure Conner, a release is highly probable.
- Evaluate Trey Benson: Benson is the "heir apparent," but his own health and consistency will dictate how aggressive the team is in replacing Conner.
- Check the Draft Board: If Arizona takes a running back in the first three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, you can safely assume the Conner era is over.
- Value the Veteran Leadership: Even if he isn't the RB1, there is a small chance he accepts a pay cut to stay as a mentor, though his current $8 million salary makes that a complicated negotiation.
The status of the James Conner injury today remains "recovering from surgery," but the real story is the contract clock ticking in the background.