Despite the Arizona Cardinals’ preseason loss to the Indianapolis Colts, rookie running back Trey Benson provided a few bright spots in an otherwise lackluster performance.
After a modest showing in the Cardinals’ preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints, where he managed just 21 yards on eight carries, Benson displayed his potential in Saturday’s 21-13 loss. With a similar workload, Benson flashed his playmaking ability and field vision, averaging 4.8 yards per carry and gaining 43 yards on nine attempts in just over a quarter of play.
Benson’s performance included several highlight moments. On his fourth carry of the night, he nearly broke free for a touchdown, shaking off multiple Colts defenders before being brought down after a 19-yard gain by safety Nick Cross. It was a run that showcased his explosive potential, and had it not been for Cross, Benson would have found the end zone.
Benson continued to impress on his final carry, darting 20 yards to the Colts’ two-yard line while evading defenders. However, his efforts were nullified by a holding penalty against Christian Jones, one of three consecutive penalties Jones committed in a tough series for the offensive line.
Although the penalty wiped out some of Benson’s hard-earned yardage, the rookie still demonstrated significant promise. Listed as the Cardinals’ RB2 behind James Conner, Benson’s performance will surely be a positive takeaway for the coaching staff as they review the game tape.
Room for Improvement
The Cardinals’ overall performance, however, left much to be desired. The team was plagued by mental errors, racking up 11 penalties for 82 yards. This level of sloppiness will need to be addressed if Arizona hopes to improve on last season’s record.
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