(Photo credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images)Cardinals running back James Conner is scheduled for ankle surgery and unlikely to return this season, pushing Trey Benson into a starting role in Arizona. Conner was carted to the locker room after being tackled in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He had nine carries for 22 yards in the game and totaled 95 rushing yards in two-plus games this season. Benson leads the team with 125 rushing yards on 21 carries and called Conner his role model. Michael Carter is on the Arizona practice squad and would be a candidate to join the active roster when the Cardinals officially transfer Conner to injured reserve.