James Conner injury update: Cardinals suffer massive blow as RB gets carted off the field vs. 49ers in Week 3

James Conner has been an integral part of the Arizona Cardinals' offense ever since he joined them in free agency in 2021. However, a very serious injury has threatened to end his 2025 season after just three games.

Early in the third quarter of Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers, the two-time Pro Bowl running back was reported to have suffered an ankle injury after taking a low hit from Marques Sigle. He was carted off the field and did not return to the game.

Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!

Deepak Chona, founder of Sports Med Analytics, opined that the injury could be season-ending:

At the time he left the game, Conner had nine carries for 22 yards. The Cardinals and 49ers would enter the fourth quarter tied at six apiece, with their only points coming from field goals.

A look back at James Conner's injury history

It is said that a bruising "power" style leaves a running back more prone to injury than the agile "scat" style, and James Conner has been no stranger to experiencing this notion. In fact, his entire tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers saw at least one injury happen annually.

His first injury came right in his rookie season. In December, he tore his MCL and was placed on IR. At that point, he carried the ball 32 times for 144 yards.

Another lower leg injury happened late in his sophomore season, and then in Year 3, he hurt his knee just two weeks in. Later, in Week 8, he hurt his shoulder, and would do so again three weeks later.

To begin the 2020 season, Conner injured his ankle right in the Steelers' opener against the New York Giants. He also contracted COVID-19 at some point.

He managed to remain healthy throughout most of the 2021 season, his first in Glendale, until heel and ankle injuries in the last four weeks put his availability into doubt. Then in 2022, it was his ribs that mainly troubled him, sidelining him for two of four games between Weeks 6 and 9, before his knee prevented him from playing the finale.

Over the last two seasons, however, Conner would remain largely healthy, with only two non-serious knee injuries over that span, one annually.

About the author

Andre Castillo is an NFL journalist at Sportskeeda who holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Master’s degree in Journalism. He has over seven years of working experience and has also covered MMA with FanSided, wrestling with The Sportster, and automobiles with Hot Cars.

Andre follows the New York Jets and the Washington Commanders, mostly because he likes their colors. His favorite position is tight end, and players like Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce have always drawn Andre's attention when watching a game. Bill Belichick is his favorite coach, and his all-time favorite Super Bowl is the XLII edition, when the underdog New York Giants upset the then-undefeated New England Patriots.

If he can change one moment in NFL history, it will be from the NFC Championship Game in January 2019. In that game, a highly controversial no-call cost the Saints what would have been Drew Brees' second Super Bowl visit, where he would have faced Tom Brady and the Patriots.

Andre is always on the lookout for fresh perspectives in a story and ensures complete factual accuracy by double-checking all information before using it in his articles. He has an innate understanding of how to present information in an efficient and compelling way.

Outside the writing realm, Andre is a professional licensed teacher. His hobbies include watching UFC, MotoGP, playing the piano, and travelling.

Know More

Cardinals Nation! You can check out the latest Arizona Cardinals Schedule and dive into the latest Cardinals Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

Edited by Andre Castillo