Former UNC football standout Michael Carter released by the Arizona Cardinals
Michael Carter did not make the Arizona Cardinals' 53-man roster leading up to the 2024 NFL season.
RB Michael Carter, who was shopped in recent days, released. https://t.co/DlSCUJf4uT
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 27, 2024
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, Michael Carter never reached the heights he did in his senior year with the UNC football program where he and Javonte Williams powered the Tar Heels to their first-ever Orange Bowl appearance. The Jets stopped using Carter in his third year with the team (eight carries in nine games played) and released him on November 14, 2023. He was signed off waivers by the Cardinals the next day.
Things did not pick up for Carter in the desert. He was firmly behind James Conner, a usage monster in the run and pass game for the last three years, and only played in six games. He had 22 carries and did not score.
Things became more bleak when the Cardinals drafted Trey Benson from Florida State in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Carter did not feature in Arizona's final preseason game. Head Coach Jonathan Gannon addressed this omission during his postgame presser, and his response sounds more ominous given the news that Carter is now released.
“Saw enough from what we needed to see from him.”
— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) August 26, 2024
Arizona Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon says RB Michael Carter didn’t play in the preseason finale because he didn’t have to prove anything else. @PHNX_Cardinals pic.twitter.com/yFblHjxHGd
Michael Carter should be able to find a new home, even if he initially starts on the practice squad. One thing that years of watching the NFL and fantasy football have made crystal clear is that you literally cannot have enough running backs. Look in these spaces for news of Carter's next home.
feed