James Conner's Role Set to Explode With Chase Edmonds Sidelined for Cardinals

If it seems like every time James Conner touches the ball that six points appear on the scoreboard for the Arizona Cardinals, your inclination is indeed correct!

Through the first half of the season, Arizona's veteran running back is on base for 20+ touchdowns after scoring his ninth, 10th and 11th combined score in their blowout win on the road against the 49ers 31-17.

Conner leads all active NFL running backs in total touchdowns with 11, leading Derrick Henry of the Titans as well as Cooper Kupp of the Rams with 10 total scores.

Now, following the news that Chase Edmonds will likely go on injured reserve, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapport, Conner's workload should increase exponentially. Edmonds had been having an outstanding year, rushing for 5.7 yards per touch while catching 30 passes for 211 yards. His absence could be costly for Arizona's offense, but Conner showed he could step in with an increased workload on Sunday, totaling over 170-plus yards of offense from scrimmage.

In Arizona's Week 9 win, Conner was on the field for 85% of the snaps after Edmonds left early in the game. Conner was also vultured out of perhaps his 12th rushing touchdown by Eno Benjamin as well.

The snap rate for Conner was amongst the highest involving running backs for Week 9, with Dalvin Cook of the Vikings, as well as Carlos Hyde of the Jaguars remaining lock-step with more than 77%.

The Cardinals return home in Week 10 as 10-point favorites over the struggling Carolina Panthers. The total in that game is only listed at 44.5, but as a double-digit favorite, the game script should play perfectly into Conner's favor as he looks to build on his best game of the season last week.

For fantasy owners, don't be surprised to see Conner, the 19th-leading rusher in the NFL be ranked in the top 10, along with a much higher than normal rushing player prop projection according to the oddsmakers at WynnBET.