James Conner's 2025 season ended in Week 3 due to a foot injury, and it's unfortunately now lingered into his 2026 campaign. The Cardinals placed Conner on IR with a designation to return. He's already met the four-game requirement, meaning he's eligible to return to practice should Arizona open up his 21-day window.
That has yet to be the case, but when Conner does make his comeback, you have to wonder whether he'd be more impactful elsewhere.
The Cardinals are already set at the running back position after adding Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier over the offseason. Conner does still provide some value as a veteran presence. But that doesn't change the fact that he's now expendable in The Valley.
1. Green Bay Packers
Who knows if/when Josh Jacobs will return this season. The Packers need an insurance policy, as their offense has been incredibly inconsistent in his absence. Some of that is due to offensive line woes, but a large part also falls on the Packers' lackluster running back room outside of Jacobs.
MarShawn Lloyd has been underwhelming in a lead role, to say the least, forcing Green Bay to take more of a committee approach. Conner would instantly be a contributor in that committee, potentially even emerging as their RB1 over Lloyd.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have dealt with one injury after another as of late in their running back room. Monday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Will Shipley could now be sidelined for multiple weeks after suffering a partial tear of his plantar fascia in their absolutely wild loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Their primary backup for Saquon Barkley is typically Tank Bigsby, though he's already on IR after core muscle surgery.
Meanwhile, Barkley continues to deal with his hamstring injury. That seems like the most short-term issue between the three, but even when the Eagles star does return, it's apparent they'll need more depth at the position.
3. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle is another team already forced to overcome early-season injuries at running back. They desperately could use Zach Charbonnet right about now, though he's not expected to return in time for their Week 6 road matchup against the Denver Broncos.
First-round rookie Jadarian Price was expected to be their primary back until Charbonnet's return, but he's currently on IR after aggravating a chest injury at practice.
The other backs have been underwhelming in their absence. George Holani and Emanuel Wilson combined for three fumbles in their Week 5 loss to divisional rival San Francisco 49ers. Two of those were recovered by San Francisco, becoming the difference-maker in a game decided by three points with little margin for error.
Conner comes with injury problems of his own, but would at least be a far more reliable option when he's actually on the field. Seattle's offense is at its best when they're effectively rotating backs and wearing down defenses. They haven't been able to lean into that strength as much this season, contributing to their relatively underwhelming 3-2 start as defending champions. Adding someone like Conner would immediately help address that.
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