Houston Texans: Reactions to the Eno Benjamin signing
Eno Benjamin had been a relatively good depth piece for the Arizona Cardinals before he was picked up by the Houston Texans. While the 2020 7th-round pick wasn’t blowing the doors off opponents, he had been solid enough to get the starting nod when James Connor went down.
He rewarded his team with that level of trust by routinely being a solid weapon out of the backfield on the ground and through the air, eventually amassing 299 yards rushing and 24 receptions for another 184 yards.
Because of those numbers and the fact that he’d just been the starting running back for a playoff-contending NFL team, the Houston Texans signing Eno Benjamin wasn’t the usual waiver wire pickup around the league.
More than a few people had rather strong reactions to what the signing meant. Both Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals fans were more than a little vocal. NFL analysts also had their say about the signing.
We have acquired RB Eno Benjamin via waivers from the Arizona Cardinals
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 15, 2022
New Texans RB Eno Benjamin was sought after on waivers, the Chiefs, Saints and Seahawks also put a claim in on him, per source.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 16, 2022
The Broncos also put in a claim on DB Justin Layne, who went to the Bears with higher priority.
The fact that Eno Benjamin was claimed by the Texans - the first team in the waiver order - is noteworthy.
— Joe Comeau - The Cardinal Rule (@jokomo13) November 15, 2022
Dameon Pierce x Eno Benjamin combo. 🤌🏼
— Nick Schwager (@NickSchwagerNFL) November 15, 2022
I will never understand this team's roster management. Eno Benjamin performed more than admirably in Conner's absence. https://t.co/XUH7mG7Q2b
— Kyler Burd (@AZCard_BurdsEye) November 14, 2022
The Arizona Cardinals are straight up TANKING with the cutting of Eno Benjamin. A 7th round draft pick who was starting to blossom.
— AVB Sports (@_AVBSports) November 14, 2022
THIS REGIME IS THE WORST.
What did he do, ask to not have pizza or something?!?
NOT happy.
HBO forced the Cardinals to cut Eno Benjamin with no explanation so people would tune into Hard Knocks.
— Jordan Loupe (@CantALoupe_FF) November 14, 2022
The consensus among those who follow the Cardinals is that the release of the runningback was more than a little bit of a surprise. There was definitely some anger among Cards fans who thought the team had done the player dirty. Especially after he’d stepped in and run for 92 yards on 12 carries in a win against the New Orleans Saints.
Houston Texans fans were a bit surprised GM Nick Caserio added a fourth running back to the roster. Though they certainly weren’t angry that another good young running back is on the roster.
The real question now is whether Benjamin is going to be in the teams’ plans past this season. Is he the kind of backup that take over those duties full time in 2023? Or is he just someone here in Dameon Pierce’s rookie season in order to take some of the load off that Rex Burkhead cannot?
The answer to that question and what the Houston Texans’ plans are, won’t be known for a little while.