The Arizona Cardinals didn’t need to see much of running back Eno Benjamin in preseason games. Coaches already liked what they saw from the second-year pro out of Arizona State in organized team activities and mini-camp, and Benjamin carried it over into training camp.
It never seemed like Benjamin was competing for a roster spot. More like he had one locked up even before training camp started in July.
“This training camp went really well. And I think that kind of dates back to just this offseason, I’ve been in Texas … just kind of working on timing and little things like that. And so I think I did a really good job with that, and that confidence just led into this whole preseason and training camp,” Benjamin said.
He carried the ball 12 times for 35 yards in limited preseason action. He also made a highlight catch in last Saturday’s preseason finale in Nashville, going out on wheel route and going full extension to haul in a Trace McSorley pass and bounce forward for a 20-yard gain.
Being reminded of the catch earlier this week at team headquarters, Benjamin could only do what he does often — smile and enjoy the moment.
For a little bit, like the amount of time it took to ride the team bus to the team plane after the game.
“Got home, watched the film and just try to move on from that,” Benjamin said. “Go on and get ready to make the next play.”
Benjamin is brimming with confidence, primed to have an important role in the Cardinals’ offense. His demonstrated ability to catch passes makes the 5-9, 207-pound Benjamin a potential change-of-pace running back who can give the offense another dimension and be utilized in multiple receiver sets. But Benjamin won’t put a label on himself.
“I’m not even really thinking about names such as that. I feel myself as a third down back, a guy who can do it all. And so if that’s the label that we’re going with, I’m going to go with that until new labels are made.”
The praise from head coach Kliff Kingsbury in June didn’t put added pressure on Benjamin to have a big preseason, he said. Benjamin used it as fuel to perform well and leave no doubt about his place on the Cardinals, and a potentially expanded role earned through his improvement.
“I know I’m surrounded by guys who are going to do their job. And so when I just think about what I’m doing with my job, it makes it that much easier,” Benjamin said.
“He’s been high energy and works as hard as anybody out there during practice. Great demeanor about himself. Couldn’t be more impressed with how he’s attacked this camp, just like did the summer and he continues to get better and better,” Kingsbury said.
Somers: Eno Benjamin, the local kid the Arizona Cardinals think is about to make it. Finally
The Cardinals were among the better running teams in the NFL in 2021, and Benjamin, wise to do so, credits the offensive line.
“You’ve got guys who have been in a position and been doing it for a long time. And just the communication that is up there up front, when it gets back to us, it makes it a lot easier on our part,” Benjamin said. “A top 10 rushing team last season. A lot of people don’t really realize that, but it happened.”
Benjamin’s even-keel way about him comes from listening to coaches and veteran teammates throughout his football life. He explained his attitude as never being too high or low and coming in ready to work day after day.
“Just never letting any perception be reality. I guess it’s really what it is, you know what you are and you know what you’re doing as well,” he said.
Linebacker Dennis Gardeck said he’s watched Benjamin, whom he’s had to try to stop in practice, improve over the years.
“It’s awesome to watch these guys grow and develop. Excited for him. I think he’s going to have a great year,” Gardeck said.
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Anderson, Matthew, Brewer return
The Cardinals brought back tight end Stephen Anderson, rookie cornerback Christian Matthew and long snapper Aaron Brewer to the active roster Wednesday, and made injury designations with three players.
All three had previously been released for the Cardinals to form their 53-man roster earlier in the week.
Cornerback Antonio Hamilton was placed on the Non-Football Injury list, clearing up the mystery about his status after he’d played so well in training camp. Hamilton was injured in a cooking accident and will reportedly miss four games.
Late Thursday afternoon, Hamilton shared a photo of the burns on his legs and feet via social media. He said he had the greatest camp of his career and last Monday had an accident that could’ve ended up deadly for he and his family, “but instead I got the short end of it by having my feet severely burned (second degree). It was literally a freak accident and God spared me to only have these injuries,” Hamilton wrote on Twitter.
Wide receiver Antoine Wesley and safety Charles Washington were placed on injured reserve. Both have been dealing with longer-term injuries.
The Cardinals also rounded out their 16-man practice squad with the return of recently released linebacker Devon Kennard. Others signed are safeties Steven Parker and Josh Thomas, and offensive lineman Badara Traore.
Cardinals support girls flag football
Cardinals representatives were scheduled to take part in the Nike Kickoff Classic for female flag football players in the Chandler Unified School District on Thursday early evening. The game, at Hamilton High School, is an All-Star flag football game featuring the six high schools (Hamilton, Chandler, Basha, Gilbert Perry, Queen Creek Casteel, and Arizona College Prep) that offer girls flag football.
Linebacker Markus Golden and Nicole Bidwill were among the Cardinals contingent scheduled to attend and help with the opening coin toss and coaching the players. The Cardinals also planned a check presentation with money going toward equipment for the teams.
Get in touch with Jose Romero at Jose.Romero@gannett.com. Find him on Twitter at @RomeroJoseM.
Travis Burnett
A pioneer in the flag football community, Travis helped co-found the Flag Football World Championship Tour, FlagSpin and USA Flag. Featuring 15+ years of content creation for the sport of flag football, creating and managing the largest flag football tournaments on the planet, coaching experience at the youth and adult level as well as an active player with National and World Championship level experience.
