Michael Carter Fantasy Stats

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon gave running back Michael Carter a vote of confidence on Wednesday, saying that the team was "very comfortable" with Carter serving as the team's top option out of the backfield as the team prepares for a Week 16 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Gannon's comments have merit, as the fifth-year back played a commanding 80% of the team's offensive snaps a week ago. Injuries have absolutely ravaged the Arizona backfield in 2025, as James Conner (ankle), Trey Benson (knee), and now Bam Knight (ankle) are all out for the remainder of the season. While Arizona is out of the playoff picture, Carter will be a hot commodity who could be a valuable lineup option with favorable matchups against Atlanta in Week 16 and Cincinnati in Week 17.

Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter is set to lead the backfield following Bam Knight (ankle) being placed on Injured Reserve. The Cardinals' backfield has been ravaged by injuries this season, and now Carter is the next man up. The 26-year-old played 53 of 66 snaps in the Week 15 loss to the Houston Texans, recording 14 carries for 56 yards while adding four receptions (four targets) for 38 yards as a receiver. Emari Demercado returned after missing the past three games with an ankle injury, but he wasn't very involved, playing just seven offensive snaps with three touches. Carter is expected to be the every-down back with Knight out of the picture, as he handled 78% of the running back rushing attempts and ran 72% of the routes in his absence. Carter had one game earlier this season with a similar workload back in Week 5, where he was inefficient as a runner with 18 carries for 51 yards, but found the end zone and added five catches (five targets) for 22 yards, finishing with 18.3 PPR points. Carter profiles as a top waiver-wire pickup this week and can be immediately plugged into lineups as an RB3/flex in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons.

Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter had 14 carries for 56 yards in Sunday's 40-20 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 15. Carter also had four catches for 38 yards on four targets. The 26-year-old was the next man up in the Cardinals' backfield after Bam Knight (ankle) was carted off the field early in the game. Carter was able to step into the Cardinals' RB1 role and display his versatile skill set in the run and pass games. With the Cardinals unsure of Knight's status for Week 16, Carter's fantasy stock is rising and should be on fantasy managers' radars. If Knight can't play next week against the Atlanta Falcons, Carter and Emari Demercado would split work in the backfield. Carter could be in for a bigger role in the Cardinals' offense and is worth picking up off the waiver wire going into Week 16.

The Arizona Cardinals' running back room got a little thinner after their 40-20 Week 15 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, as running back Bam Knight (ankle) was carted off the field and did not return. Michael Carter stepped up as the team's primary running back, and after Knight's departure, he had 78% of the backfield carry share, a 10% target share, and got the only carry inside the 10-yard line. He finished the contest with 14 carries for 56 yards (4.0 YPC) and hauled in all four of his targets for an additional 38 yards, and will have fantasy value moving forward, as he appears to be their No. 1 running back option if Knight misses any extra time and would become a must-add off the waiver wire. The Cardinals take on the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16 and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17. It will be important to monitor Knight's status, as that will determine Carter's overall value moving forward. Still, Trey Benson (knee) was not activated from the IR on December 10, and because of that, his season is over, leaving Carter as the only healthy option at this time.

Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter fell under double-digit touches in the Week 14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Carter was quickly phased out of the offense and was only able to garner five touches for 31 scrimmage yards. The 26-year-old's role in the offense will remain up in the air with Emari Demercado (ankle) listed as questionable in Week 15. Demercado has missed the last three games with an ankle injury, but was able to be a limited participant in each practice this week. In a murky situation, Carter will face a difficult matchup against the Houston Texans. The Texans' defense has allowed the fourth-fewest receptions and the fifth-fewest rushing yards this season. It will be tough sliding for Carter on Sunday, even as a pass-catcher, going against a solid Texans' linebacker core. In a difficult Week 15 matchup, Carter will be a risky desperation flex option in deep PPR leagues.

Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter has seen minimal usage as a rusher in recent weeks, as he has not recorded more than five carries in a game since Week 7. However, the 26-year-old has seen consistent work in the passing game, hauling in 15 receptions for 117 yards on 20 targets over the last four weeks. The Cardinals' backfield has been in a constant state of flux this season due to injuries. With James Conner (ankle), Trey Benson (knee), and Emari Demercado (ankle) sidelined, Carter and journeyman back Bam Knight have seen the majority of the work over the last month. Arizona could be getting Benson back in Week 15 against the Houston Texans, which may eliminate Carter's role. However, it appears the Cardinals are also considering shutting down Benson for the season due to his lingering knee injury. If Benson remains out, Carter could have some flex appeal for deep-league PPR fantasy managers thanks to his pass-catching ability.

Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter had three carries for 13 yards in Sunday's 45-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14. Carter also had two catches for 18 yards on four targets. The 26-year-old was unable to get involved in the passing game despite the Cardinals' offense dropping back to pass 44 times on Sunday. Carter also saw fewer targets than fellow running back Bam Knight, who had six targets on Sunday. Carter's fantasy value will be left up in the air with Trey Benson (knee) potentially coming off Injured Reserve and Emari Demercado (ankle) potentially returning in Week 15. If Benson or Demercado returns, Carter will fall to RB3 duties in the Cardinals' offense. Even if both Benson and Demercado miss another week, Carter can't be trusted as a flex play in 12-team fantasy formats.

Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter had five carries for 17 yards in Sunday's crushing 20-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13. Carter also had five catches for 47 yards on six targets. The 26-year-old was able to get involved in the passing game in Sunday's matchup to stay fantasy relevant in Half-PPR and Full-PPR leagues. Week 13 marked the first time Carter had gotten double-digit touches in a game since Week 6. Carter's fantasy value will be left up in the air with Trey Benson (knee) potentially coming off injured reserve and Emari Demercado (ankle) potentially returning in Week 14. If Benson or Demercado returns, Carter will fall to RB3 duties in the Cardinals offense.

Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter figures to remain in the mix for at least one more game. Fellow back Trey Benson (knee) is working his way back in the mix, but has been ruled out for the Week 13 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That being said, Bam Knight figures to operate as the lead back with Carter getting mixed in as well. Last week, Carter rushed the ball five times for 28 yards in the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He should once again see a handful of carries this weekend, but should fall to RB3 duties once Benson returns. Fantasy managers are unlikely to get much out of Carter after this weekend.

Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter had five carries for 28 yards in Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 12. Carter also had three catches for 30 yards on three targets. The 26-year-old had his most efficient rushing game of the year in Sunday's matchup, gaining 5.6 yards per carry. Carter will need to continue to maximize each carry he gets in this pass-heavy offense to stay relevant in fantasy in his limited rushing role. Carter has also not seen double-digit touches in a game since Week 6. Fantasy managers should consider Carter a desperation flex option in deeper leagues heading into Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He'll fall to RB3 duties if Trey Benson (knee) returns from Injured Reserve.