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Arizona Cardinals go without injured James Conner in second half vs. Raiders

josé m. romero, arizona republic
·2 min read
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Sep 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) and Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during a game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) and Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during a game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

LAS VEGAS — Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner missed almost all of the second half of Sunday's 29-23 overtime win over the Las Vegas Raiders after leaving the game early in the third quarter with what was announced as an ankle injury.

Conner left during the Cardinals' first possession of the third quarterafter rushing for 25 yards on seven carries and catching two passes for 25 yards. The Pro Bowler stood on the sideline and watched, then spent some time testing his left ankle by himself, stretching it out on the bench.

There was no update on Conner's status after Sunday's game, though he was in the locker room after the game.

Arizona turned to Darrel Williams and Eno Benjamin, sharing touches in the backfield in the second half. Williams scored his first touchdown as a Cardinal, a one-yard run with 8:13 to play in the fourth quarter.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 18: Darrel Williams #24 of the Arizona Cardinals carries the ball in the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 18: Darrel Williams #24 of the Arizona Cardinals carries the ball in the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)

Williams wasn't used on offense last week but with Conner out, ended up leading the Cardinals in rushing with 59 yards on eight carries.

"It was amazing. I'm glad I got in there, glad to put some points on the board so I could help my team out," Williams said. "You never know when your time is going to come but you've got to be prepared."

Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Williams "does everything right."

"I've told you all along. He always puts the ball where it's supposed to be, He always runs the right route, he always picks up in protection and when his number was called, he played his tail off," Kingsbury said. "That's why we signed him, that's why we have him. Couldn't be more excited about the game he had."

Conner has been effective running the ball and catching passes in his time with the Cardinals, but was held to 26 rushing yards in the team's Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Get in touch with Jose Romero at Jose.Romero@gannett.com. Find him on Twitter at @RomeroJoseM. 

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cardinals go without injured James Conner in second half vs. Raiders