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Should I pickup Trey Benson or Bam Knight as fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 12 of 2025? Read our fantasy football waiver wire outlooks.
The Arizona Cardinals have been without their top-2 running backs, James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee) for much of the season. Neither of them have played since Week 4, with Conner suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 3 and Benson hurting his knee the week after.
Benson hasn't played in a game since then, and it's been the trio of RBs Bam Knight, Emari Demercado (ankle), and Michael Carter that have taken nearly all the running back carries since then, to mixed results. They've clearly felt the loss of both Conner and Benson.
The latter has been eligible to return from injured reserve, where he remains, for a few weeks now, but he hasn't even practiced yet. In the meantime, Knight has handled the majority of the carries and scored three rushing touchdowns. So should you grab Benson or Knight off waivers? Let's dive in.
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Trey Benson Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Outlook
The Cardinals have been very reluctant to let any information about Benson's knee injury come to light. He was quickly placed on injured reserve after suffering whatever aliment he has in Week 4, though, so we at least know it's serious, but he has a designation to return this season.
We just don't know when it will be. We'll have to wait to see when his practice window opens. Most players return within two weeks of their windows opening, and teams are required to elevate those players to the active roster within 21 days or be forced to place them on season-ending injured reserve.
Trey Benson to injured reserve with a designation to return with a knee injury, per Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon @PHNX_Cardinals pic.twitter.com/CGMedMgubn
— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) October 1, 2025
In a recent interview, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that Benson was "getting better" but refused to divulge any specifics of his injury. He could have a torn MCL, a PCL sprain, or something else significant, but we don't know.
If you want to stash him from waivers, now's probably a pretty good time, though. He had a workhorse role in his one game without Conner playing before he got hurt, and that would be likely to continue, as none of the backs the team currently has have been consistent.
He caught five passes in that game, even though Demercado typically serves as the passing down back. And while his rushing production wasn't anything special, he does have a penchant for making explosive plays, owing to his elite speed -- he ran a 4.39-second 40-yard-dash at the NFL Combine.
Bam Knight Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Outlook
Knight is probably only useful in fantasy football as long as Benson remains hurt. Since his practice window wasn't opened last week, it's reasonable to think he might miss at least one more game, meaning Knight will be the team's starter yet again.
Last week, Knight scored 14.5 PPR fantasy points by carrying the ball five times for 21 yards and a touchdown and catching all four of his targets for 21 yards. He usually doesn't catch many passes, but Demercado getting hurt and pulled from the game gave him more opportunities.
#AZCardinals penalties are killing this team. Bam Knight touchdown wiped out and would have made it an 8 point game #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/29ZVDZSZs6
— Az sports fan (@SameOlCardinals) November 16, 2025
Knight has looked pretty solid at times, and if Demercado misses more time, the extra PPr upside from points from receptions should raise his ceiling. He's definitely a startable running back in 12-team leagues, since it's so hard to find talent.
If someone drops him in one of your leagues, or he's still on waivers, he's at least worth picking up in leagues that aren't super deep.
Should I Pickup Trey Benson or Bam Knight For Fantasy Football?
Benson is the obvious pick here. His role when he's healthy is that of a true RB1, and he might have some PPR upside to go along with it. That Week 4 game was played with quarterback Kyler Murray (foot), though, and it's unclear if new starting QB Jacoby Brissett will check it down quite as much.
Brissett has helped the Cardinals play better in recent weeks, though. He at least gives them a chance to produce in garbage time, and is a high-volume passer. He's elevated the fantasy ceiling of all his pass-catchers and given defenses more to worry about through the air.
Trey Benson goes 29 yards!
AZvsSF on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/mf8qW3fFmt
— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2025
Murray was genuinely one of the worst passing QBs in the NFL, and his flaws have been exposed this season. A rising tide lifts all boats, and though the Cardinals were blown out by the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers in consecutive weeks, garbage time points still count.
Benson is start-worthy in 12-team leagues every week when he comes back, and though he might have some down games, he's the better pickup here because he actually has season-long upside when he comes back from his absence.
Who Should I Pickup Tool
Trying to decide who to pick up off the waiver wire? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool here:
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Who Should I Pickup? Some common 2025 fantasy football waiver wire decisions are regarding players like Kenneth Gainwell, Bam Knight, Michael Wilson, Tyjae Spears, Trey Benson, Emanuel Wilson. But not to worry, we are here to help make these waiver wire decisions and build winning teams in 2025. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups in 2025. Our free Who Should I Pickup? tool will help make your fantasy football waiver wire decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to pick up... all free! Make the right decisions.
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Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
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