Arizona running back Michael Carter played a complementary role in the Cardinals' Week 17 triumph over the Eagles, rushing for 61 yards on seven carries. His impact extended to the passing game, where he caught a six-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, contributing to Arizona's comeback effort. As the backup to starter James Conner, Carter was the only other running back to record a rushing attempt. While he is expected to see ample playing time in Week 18, fantasy managers are advised to exercise caution and consider other options for starting lineups. Carter's involvement in the offense makes him a valuable depth piece, but the unpredictable workload continues to limit his fantasy reliability.
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter made his team debut in Week 12 against the L.A. Rams less than two weeks after joining his new team. He appeared to be the No. 2 RB in the backfield behind incumbent James Conner and finished with just two fewer carries. In Week 15, Carter and the rest of the Arizona offense will face off against the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers currently boast the league's best rush defense and also rank as the best defensive unit overall. While Carter could be somewhat utilized in the passing game due to his receiving skills, he's expected to be the usual primary backup to Conner and thus may receive limited work. Additionally, even though the possibility exists that the Cardinals could fall behind in the game and give their regulars some rest, Carter remains much too risky to start for fantasy purposes and currently only has value as an injury handcuff. As such, Carter should remain on the fantasy bench in Week 15.
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter debuted in Week 12 against the L.A. Rams less than two weeks after joining his new team. He appeared to be the No. 2 RB in the backfield behind incumbent James Conner as he finished with just two fewer carries. In Week 13, Carter and the Arizona offense face off against a Pittsburgh defense allowing the seventh-fewest rushing yards per game to opposing running backs. With that in mind, the team could utilize Carter's passing-catching skills to help offset the defense and keep Conner healthy. As such, fantasy managers can view Carter as an RB3/4 with the potential to deliver some viable fantasy production.
Michael Carter Active Over Keaontay Ingram In Week 12
Arizona Cardinals running back Keaontay Ingram (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams. In his absence, Michael Carter will operate as the No. 3 running back behind James Conner and Emari Demercado. While this news demonstrates the Cardinals' increased trust in Carter after claiming him from the Jets, his depth role keeps him off the fantasy radar for the time being.
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter, who was claimed off waivers from the New York Jets earlier in the week, is a healthy scratch and will not make his team debut in Week 11 against the Houston Texans. There was a chance that Carter was going to be active on Sunday with rookie Emari Demercado (toe) being ruled out for a third straight game, but that won't be the case. Carter still needs to learn a new offense and get settled in, but he could make his Arizona debut in a Week 12 contest versus the Los Angeles Rams. With Demercado out of action yet again, Keaontay Ingram and Tony Jones Jr. will vie for change-of-pace duties behind bell-cow back James Conner against Houston.
Michael Carter Could Make Cardinals Debut In Week 11
The Arizona Cardinals ruled rookie running back Emari Demercado (toe) out for the third straight game in Week 11 as they get set to face the Houston Texans, which increases the chances of recently acquired Michael Carter making his debut for the team. The Cardinals claimed Carter off waivers from the New York Jets this week. The 24-year-old had 639 rushing yards and four touchdowns in his rookie season in 2021 but fell out of favor when the Jets drafted Breece Hall a year ago. Now in Arizona, he has a chance to eventually become a passing-down option in the Cardinals' backfield. However, there's no question that James Conner is the team's bell-cow back as long as he's healthy. Carter is worth a flier in deep PPR leagues, but he's also going to need some time to learn a new offense.
Cardinals Claim Michael Carter Off Waivers From Jets
The Arizona Cardinals claimed running back Michael Carter off waivers from the New York Jets on Wednesday, according to a source. Carter had a strong rookie season in 2021 with 639 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 147 rushing attempts in 14 games (11 starts) and was looking like the Jets' lead back of the future before they selected Breece Hall in the 2022 draft. He quickly fell out of favor with Gang Green and will now look for a fresh start as backfield depth behind James Conner. At the very least, he could become an interesting PPR flier in the second half as a change-of-pace option for Arizona alongside Conner. Carter has averaged 4.0 yards per carry through his first 39 NFL games and also has 92 receptions for 681 yards through the air.
The New York Jets released running back Michael Carter in a surprising move on Tuesday. The news comes after Carter played a season-low 14 percent of the offensive snaps in Week 10's Sunday night loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. He didn't see a single rushing attempt and couldn't haul in his only target through the air. The 24-year-old was the No. 3 back behind Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook before his release, and now that he's off the roster, rookie Israel Abanikanda should see an expanded role the rest of his rookie season. In nine games for the Jets this year, Carter was used mostly as a receiver out of the backfield, catching 15 of 20 targets for 68 yards. He also added eight carries for 38 yards. Carter should be able to latch on with another team as RB depth the rest of the year.
New York Jets running back Michael Carter rested in the team's preseason game last weekend, a sign that his roster spot is already secure. Meanwhile, Zonovan Knight started and played 29 snaps (11 touches) and struggled. The addition of Dalvin Cook during training surely killed most of Carter's fantasy value entering the 2023 regular season, but it won't necessarily mean that Carter will be out of a roster spot completely. The 24-year-old Carter should be on the active roster in Week 1, but he's not going to be worth rostering in the majority of fantasy leagues unless Cook or Breece Hall go down with an injury.
Michael Carter Productive On Six Touches In Preseason Win
New York Jets running back Michael Carter turned four carries into 19 rushing yards and two receptions into 34 yards in the team's 27-0 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Carter was the first back to take the field for New York and should be considered the early favorite to handle RB2 duties behind Breece Hall (knee). Four of his six touches came on the first drive alone, including a 25-yard reception off a short pass from quarterback Zach Wilson. It's worth noting that fifth-round rookie Israel Abanikanda also turned in an impressive performance on Saturday and could compete with Carter and Zonovan Knight for snaps in the regular season. Fantasy managers should view Carter as an interesting potential handcuff in what projects to be an explosive offense.
