Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury said Monday that X-rays on RB James Conner's shin came back clean and that the injury is "nothing major." It sounds like Conner has a shot to play in this weekend's finale vs. the 49ers -- although it's certainly possible that he's held out of a game that means nothing to Arizona. Conner's absence would leave the Cardinals' backfield to Corey Clement and Keaontay Ingram.

Cardinals RB James Conner piled up 98 rushing yards and 1 score on 14 attempts. Surprisingly, Arizona’s O-line opened up several holes for Conner to exploit. He nearly went untouched on his goal line score from 5 yards out. The veteran has now scored in two straight, while he’s hit 15 opportunities in all three games. He’ll be tested Sunday at San Francisco, especially with the 49ers having a rest advantage.

Cardinals RB James Conner received 23 carries for 106 rushing yards and 1 TD in Sunday’s loss to the Giants. The veteran only saw a single target in Week 2 and didn’t record a catch. For the second week in a row, Conner significantly out-worked his fellow RBs with 82.7% of the backfield touch opportunities, reaffirming his status as a workhorse for fantasy managers. He’ll figure to be a quality RB2 option again in Week 3 vs. the Cowboys.

Cardinals RB James Conner saw 14 carries for 62 rushing yards in Sunday’s loss to the Commanders. He also caught all 5 targets for 8 receiving yards in Week 1. Those who play in PPR leagues can’t be too upset with a double-digit performance, and 73.6% of the team’s RB carries from Conner. The Cardinals' offense is likely to struggle until QB Kyler Murray returns from rehabbing his ACL. Next up for Arizona is a Week 2 game vs. the Giants.

Cardinals RB James Conner missed four games and most of two others last season. But he was busy and productive when healthy. In 11 games with a snap rate of 55+%, he averaged 15.2 carries, 63.8 rushing yards, 4.8 targets, 3.9 catches, 24.2 receiving yards, and .73 total TDs. Conner's scoring average in those games would have ranked seventh in PPR and eighth in non-PPR. Arizona made no significant additions to the backfield this offseason and only returns RBs Keaontay Ingram and Corey Clement. So Conner appears poised for more big volume and looks like a prime value in 2023 fantasy football drafts with an ADP of RB25. See exactly where Conner sits in our RB Rankings.

Cardinals RB James Conner (knee, shin) has been officially ruled out for Week 18 vs. the 49ers. Given that the 49ers' defense ranks as the single-toughest matchup for opposing RBs in adjusted fantasy points allowed this season, we don't believe any other Cardinals RB is worthy of fantasy consideration this week. You can avoid this backfield altogether.