Michael

Carter

With James Conner, Trey Benson and Emari Demercado all on injured reserve, Carter made his first start since 2022. No one is going to call home about 59 yards on 21 touches, but Carter did his job for the Cardinals (absorb work) and DFS players (find the end zone) alike. Hanging around the fringes of Arizona’s roster for a little over the past year, Carter turns 26 in May. He’s going to have to earn his 53-man roster spot all over again this summer. He’s probably on the outside looking in.

The Cardinals placed Conner on injured reserve shortly after ruling him out on Wednesday. Michael Carter was signed to the active roster in a corresponding move. Conner entered Week 17 with a knee issue and didn’t make it far before being shut down. He re-aggravated the injury after four carries and did not return. His season comes to a close with 236 carries for 1,094 yards and eight touchdowns. While it was another strong season for the veteran, he went from averaging 80 rushing yards per game in 2023 to 68 this year. On the other hand, Conner more than made up for the slight downturn in rushing production with 47 receptions for 414 yards and a touchdown through the air, dwarfing his 2023 receiving numbers. Late-season injury aside, Conner showed no signs of slowing in his age-29 season and even earned a two-year contract extension mid-season. He could cede more work to Trey Benson next year, but Conner is still firmly in the RB2 mix heading into 2025.

After James Conner (knee) left the game, Carter was the bellcow for the Arizona rushing attack, and he handled it well. The 25-year-old was able to find creases between the tackles and used his speed on some of his outside runs. It wasn’t dominating by any means, but effective nevertheless. If Conner and Trey Benson can’t go again, Carter should see a lot of touches again in Week 18.

Gannon said he may not know the official status of Conner or fellow running back Trey Benson when the team boards the plan on Friday to head to Los Angeles to take on the Rams, but it sounds like Conner will have an outside shot to play if he continues to progress through his knee injury. Conner was listed as a limited participant in each of the team’s first two practices to start the week and will presumably log another limited session on Thursday. If both Conner and Benson are held out of Saturday’s contest, practice squad back Michael Carter figures to see a busy day after seeing 10 opportunities in last week’s loss to the Panthers.

Conner suffered the knee injury in Week 16 and did not return. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said earlier the team will “see how the week goes” for Conner’s game-day status. The Cardinals play the Rams Saturday night, so it is a shorter week than usual, but Conner’s limited status in Tuesday’s estimated report is a good sign. Backup RB Trey Benson (ankle) was also listed as limited after missing Week 16. If neither Conner nor Benson can go, Michael Carter will retain the lead back role.

Conner exited Arizona’s Week 16 game against the Panthers with a knee issue and did not return, leaving the lead back role to Michael Carter. The Cardinals, who were eliminated from playoff contention with their loss to Carolina, plays Saturday night against the Rams. It could be an uphill climb for Conner to get ready for Week 17. Carter should be picked up in most fantasy leagues in the coming days.

With Trey Benson (ankle) sidelined, Carter stepped in as the Cardinals’ lead back after James Conner suffered a third quarter knee injury. Conner spent a lot of time trying to get stretched out but never appeared particularly close to returning. With the Cardinals now eliminated from playoff contention, Carter could suddenly be the lead back for Week 17 against the Rams if Benson remains sidelined. Benson failed to log a single practice rep this week, so Carter’s odds of starting are probably better than 50-50, especially since Arizona has no incentive to risk anyone’s future health in Weeks 17 and 18,

Carter will stay in the Arizona organization even after being waived by the team Tuesday during final cuts. The 25-year-old isn’t likely to see many — if any — touches for Arizona to begin the year.

Carter somehow emerged as the Cardinals’ RB2 down the stretch last season, but his services were no longer needed following rookie Trey Benson’s strong summer. Carter could end up back on the practice squad.

The eight touches were a new season high for the ex-Jet, who saw some extra run as James Conner briefly dealt with injury. That included Carter’s touchdown grab in the third quarter. He won’t be in the Week 18 DFS mix.