Cardinals waive RB as James Conner gets closer to playing again

In order to make room for Tony Jones Jr., a 25-year-old running back, on the 53-man roster, the Arizona Cardinals waived him on Thursday, as originally reported by ESPN’s Field Yates.

James Conner, Arizona’s starting running back, was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to a knee injury. He was placed on injured reserve earlier this week. Conner hasn’t played since the Cincinnati Bengals game on October 8. He might play again in Week 10 against the Altana Falcons with QB Kyler Murray.

Following Conner’s injury, Arizona claimed Jones from the New Orleans Saints. On October 18, the Cardinals cut him loose and added him back to the practice squad.

Due to running back Emari Demercado’s injury, Arizona added Jones to the 53-man roster, where he saw action in 40% of the team’s offensive plays in Week 9. In his Cardinals debut, Jones had three carries for two yards and two catches for five yards.

As Conner develops, the 53-man roster now features just two running backs: Demercado and Keaontay Ingram. Corey Clement, an old hand, is still in the practice squad.