Kiner will compete for a backup role with the Cardinals this season, but he is not worth drafting in any leagues. Arizona has Jeremiyah Love, Tyler Allgeier, James Conner and Trey Benson ahead of Kiner on the depth chart, and he is likely behind Zonovan Knight as well coming into training camp. We'll see if anything changes prior to the season, but Kiner isn't expected to make much of a Fantasy impact in 2026. As a rookie in 2025, Kiner had 12 carries for 58 yards and two catches for 15 yards on three targets in four games.
Kiner recorded 14 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown during Thursday's 33-30 preseason loss versus the Panthers. He also logged two catches for nine yards.
Kiner opened the scoring in the first exhibition of the preseason with a one-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter. He also led both teams in carries while maintaining decent efficiency. Whether he makes the cut for Arizona's initial 53-man roster could depend somewhat on the health of veteran James Conner (foot).
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Cardinals' Corey Kiner: Sparse usage as rookie
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Kiner tallied 12 carries for 58 yards and gathered in two of three targets for 15 yards without scoring a touchdown in four regular-season appearances in 2025. He also had one kick return for 22 yards.
In a backfield that lost all of James Conner (foot), Trey Benson (knee) and Bam Knight (ankle) for the season at various points, Michael Carter (333 rushing yards) and Emari Demercado (312) ended up leading the Cardinals' ground game overall, and Kiner himself got some run over the last four games after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent back in May. Kiner maxed out at 14 offensive snaps in Week 18, and he enters the offseason as one of three running backs (also, Conner and Benson) under contract with Arizona for 2026.
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Cardinals' Corey Kiner: One carry Sunday
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Kiner took his only carry for two yards during Sunday's 37-14 loss in Cincinnati.
One week removed from earning a career-high six rushes that he turned into 32 yards, the undrafted rookie logged just two offensive snaps in Week 17, with the aforementioned carry occurring in the middle of the second quarter. Kiner ranked third in the RB pecking order for the Cardinals behind Emari Demercado's 30 snaps and seven touches and Michael Carter's 23 and nine, respectively. Such a breakdown likely will continue in Arizona's regular-season finale Sunday at the Rams.
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Corey Kiner: Lands back on practice squad
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The Vikings reverted Kiner to their practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Kiner was elevated from the practice squad Saturday, but he ended up being inactive for Sunday's game against Baltimore. His elevation was insurance in case Aaron Jones (shoulder/toe) was unable to play, but Jones ended up starting and logging a larger offensive snap count than usual. With that in mind, it doesn't seem likely Kiner will get elevated again for Week 11 against Chicago unless another injury hits the Vikings' backfield before then.
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Vikings' Corey Kiner: Inactive against Baltimore
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Kiner (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Ravens.
Kiner was elevated to the active roster Saturday for the scenario in which starting running back Aaron Jones (shoulder/toe) was unable to suit up. With Jones active for Sunday's contest, Kiner ends up a healthy scratch against the Ravens.
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Corey Kiner: Waived with injury settlement
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Kiner (ankle) was waived from injured reserve by the 49ers with an injury settlement Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Kiner suffered a high-ankle sprain during the 49ers' second preseason game and was subsequently placed on injured reserve. Due to his injury settlement, he'll be free to sign with a new team once he's healthy. The undrafted rookie posted 1,153 yards and four touchdowns on 204 carries (5.7 YPC) through 12 games at Cincinnati.
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49ers' Corey Kiner: Reverts to IR with San Francisco
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Kiner (ankle) reverted to injured reserve with the 49ers on Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Kiner sustained a high-ankle sprain in the 49ers' preseason matchup with the Raiders on Saturday. He will now be sidelined for the entirety of the 2025 campaign unless he reaches an injury settlement with San Francisco and becomes a free agent.
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Corey Kiner: Let go by San Francisco
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The 49ers waived/injured Kiner (ankle) on Wednesday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Kiner suffered a high-ankle sprain during the 49ers' preseason game against the Raiders. Assuming he clears waivers, Kiner will revert to the 49ers' injured reserve, which will force him to miss the entire 2025 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with the team.
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Corey Kiner: Slated to sign with Niners
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Kiner is slated to sign with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent, Scott Springer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Kiner topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of his final two seasons at Cincinnati, and he caught all 16 targets as a senior. The 23-year-old lacks breakaway speed but is a compact runner (5-foot-9, 208 pounds) and showcases strong balance as a runner. He's far from a lock to make the 53-man roster, but there's always upside for a running back in a Kyle Shanahan system.
