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Identifying 5 Cardinals Replacements for James Conner, Including Breece Hall
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- Identifying 5 Cardinals Replacements for James Conner, Including Breece Hall
Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
On Sunday afternoon, the Arizona Cardinals took a major hit to their offense. During the Cards divisional clash with the San Francisco 49ers , underrated running back James Conner had his ankle badly mangled during a tackle. The injury will reportedly require surgery , and he is now done for the season.
The nine-year veteran is one of the more reliable backs in the game and has posted a pair of 1,000-plus yard seasons the last two years in Arizona. Conner's absence will open the door for 2024 third-round pick Trey Benson or Emari Demercado to have a breakthrough season. However, there are also options on the trade and free agent block.
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Let's look at five players the Arizona Cardinals could soon target to bolster their running back room.
Breece Hall , New York Jets
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Before the season, there were rumors that the New York Jets might be willing to trade Breece Hall. After falling to 0-3 on Sunday, things could continue to devolve to a point where the team feels they would be better off trying to get a draft pick for him before the trade deadline instead of potentially losing him in free agency after the season.
When healthy, Hall has game-breaker potential out of the backfield as a runner and receiver. He would be a big addition for the Cards the rest of the season, and if he disappoints, they can let him walk in free agency.
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Zack Moss , Free Agent
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While the pickings are slim in NFL free agency, there are a couple of solid veteran running backs available on the open market. One being Bills , Colts , and Bengals veteran Zack Moss. Is he a classic bell-cow running back? No. But two seasons ago, he did rush for 794 yards, five touchdowns, and posted 4.3 yards per carry. At only 27 years old, he would be a rock-solid depth addition for the Cardinals.
Devin Singletary , New York Giants
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With rookie Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy ahead of him on the New York Giants depth chart, veteran back Devin Singletary is very expendable. Is he a game-changing talent? No. But in a move to add veteran depth, he is a sensible option. He won't come at a high cost, and is a solid runner and pass catcher. Maybe being in a playoff chase could reinvigorate the seven-year veteran who has averaged 4.5 yards per carry for his career.
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Jerome Ford , Cleveland Browns
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With Quinshon Judkins ' legal issues behind him, he is going to be the Cleveland Browns' RB1 for the rest of the season. When given opportunities, the 2022 fifth-rounder Jerome Ford has shown himself to be a better-than-average dual threat. The Browns' offense has been messy the last couple of seasons. In a better system and with a Pro Bowl-level QB in Kyler Murray , Ford could be a steal before next month's trade deadline.
Jamaal Williams , Free Agent
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Another solid option still on the free agent market is Packers , Lions , and Saints veteran Jamaal Charles . While he has been a backup RB his entire career, he showed in Detroit two years ago that he has the potential to make an impact when he rushed for over 1,000 yards and a whopping 17 touchdowns. It will be hard to find a player that can fill the void left by Conner, but Williams would be a cheap option to help toward the cause.
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