Benjamin (Achilles) was placed on injured reserve Sunday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Benjamin suffered a torn Achilles in practice Saturday, so the move to IR comes as no surprise. The 24-year-old was working to earn a role in the Saints backfield after closing out the 2022 campaign with the team. He'll now work to get healthy and bounce back next season.
Benjamin appears to have torn his Achilles during Saturday's practice, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Benjamin joined the Saints last December and quickly became important depth, with the running back room depleted due to various injuries. The 2020 seventh-round pick was expected to reprise a similar role in 2023 prior to Saturday's injury. Expect Dwayne Washington and possibly another player not currently on the team's roster to compete for one of the final roster spots ahead of Week 1.
Saints' Eno Benjamin: Finishes 2022 in fringe role
Rotowire
Benjamin had two rushes for three yards during Sunday's 10-7 loss against Carolina. Over 15 games between Arizona, Houston and New Orleans in 2022, he recorded 73 rushing attempts for 313 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 25 receptions (34 targets) for 193 yards
Benjamin finished the season in a reserve role alongside David Johnson, as both backs joined New Orleans when No. 2 running back Mark Ingram went down with a season-ending knee injury in early December. Benjamin ultimately had a slightly smaller workload compared to the 31-year-old Johnson, though neither saw any significant action with Alvin Kamara and do-it-all tight end Taysom Hill shouldering the Saints' rushing duties over the final four games. Instead, the vast majority of the 23-year-old's production came over 10 games with the Cardinals this season before he was waived by the team Nov. 14. Benjamin also never carved out a significant role on special teams following his departure from Arizona. He will now enter the final year of his rookie contract during the 2023 season.
Benjamin notched two carries for 10 yards and hauled in his only target for nine yards while playing six offensive snaps in Sunday's 20-10 victory against the Eagles.
Benjamin saw his first action on offense since signing with the Saints in mid-December, handling a depth role behind Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill with those two accounting for 30 of the team's 35 rushing attempts. Benjamin's three touches did outpace fellow backup David Johnson's zero. Both Benjamin and Johnson should once again see extremely limited workloads in Week 18 unless the Saints choose to rest starters after they were officially eliminated from playoff contention Sunday.
