Cardinals Claim RB After James Conner Injury

ARIZONA -- When it rains, it pours.

The Arizona Cardinals dropped to 1-4 on the season after another disappointing loss, this time coming to the Cincinnati Bengals in 34-20 fashion in Week 5.

Arizona - under the guidance of first-year head coach Jonathan Gannon - has impressed with their fight but have yet to prove themselves in the win column outside of their upset win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Things went from bad to worse in the second quarter for Arizona when Cardinals running back James Conner injured himself on a long run play vs. Cincinnati. He quickly went to the blue medical tent before heading to the locker room.

Moments later, the Cardinals announced Conner was questionable to return with a knee injury. He ultimately wouldn't return, and Emari Demercado registered every snap moving forward in his absence.

More help is on the way for Arizona, as the Cardinals have claimed running back Tony Jones from the New Orleans Saints.

#AZCardinals claimed RB Tony Jones off waivers from the #Saints , source says.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 9, 2023

More via the team's press release: "Jones Jr. (5-11, 224) played 18 games (six starts) with the Saints between 2020-23 and also appeared in four games with the Seahawks in 2022 after originally joining New Orleans in 2020 as an undrafted rookie free agent from Notre Dame. In his career, the 25-year old Jones has 88 carries for 249 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 14 receptions for 80 yards. He appeared in the first four games (one start) of this season with the Saints and had 21 carries for 70 yards and two touchdowns."

The Cardinals signed Damien Williams to their practice squad last week but did not activate him, rather going with Corey Clement as a standard elevation after fellow running back Keaontay Ingram was ruled out ahead of Week 5.

After the loss, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon offered the following update on Conner:

"He's feeling OK. I think on that long run he might have got his foot stuck in the ground and might have twisted his knee up. We'll see tomorrow."

Jones' arrival, at least from the outside, doesn't bode well for Conner's short-term status. Gannon is set to speak with reporters later today.

Arizona plays on the road in Week 6 against the Los Angeles Rams.