During a press conference on Wednesday, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon shared important injury updates regarding two significant offensive players ahead of the upcoming matchup against the Texans.
Gannon confirmed that left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. has been ruled out for Sunday’s game due to a knee injury he sustained during the team’s Week 14 loss to the Rams. Johnson’s absence will be a notable blow to the offensive line as he plays a critical role in protecting the quarterback and establishing the run game.
In addition to Johnson’s injury, running back Trey Benson will not be activated off of injured reserve. Although his practice window had recently opened, Gannon announced that Benson will miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. This setback is particularly disappointing as Benson did not participate in practice last week and has been sidelined since his injury.
In his second season, Benson contributed significantly when healthy, accumulating 160 yards on 29 carries and adding 13 catches for 64 yards across four games. His absence now raises questions about the depth and adaptability of the Cardinals’ offensive roster as they continue to navigate the challenges of the season.
With Johnson and Benson out of the game, the team will need to make adjustments as they prepare to face the Texans, with both the offensive line and backfield requiring strategic re-evaluation.
