Cardinals place RB James Conner on injured reserve with knee injury

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals placed leading rusher James Conner on injured reserve on Tuesday after a knee injury in Sunday’s loss to the Bengals.

It’s another blow for the Cardinals (1-4), who already are missing franchise quarterback Kyler Murray and two-time All-Pro safety Budda Baker because of injuries. Conner, the former Pitt and Steelers standout, ranks eighth in the NFL with 364 yards rushing and is averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

By rule, Conner must miss at least the next four games.

The 28-year-old Conner appeared to get hurt near the end of the first half Sunday. He tried to return, jogging up and down on the sideline in full uniform, but didn’t play another snap.

Conner’s injury likely means more time for rookie Emari Demercado, who ran for an 11-yard touchdown in the second half. It was Demercado’s first NFL touchdown. The team also claimed running back Tony Jones Jr., who was released by the Saints.

Jones ran for 70 yards and two touchdowns in the Saints’ first four games.