Titans' Michael Carter: Won't play with Spears (ankle) active
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Carter (coach's decision) is inactive against the Giants on Sunday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
Carter was elevated from the practice squad Saturday, but he will observe Sunday's game in street clothes after Tyjae Spears (ankle) was cleared to play. Spears, rookie fifth-rounder Nicholas Singleton and Julius Chestnut will all provide depth in the Titans' backfield behind Tony Pollard for Week 3.
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Titans' Michael Carter: Elevated for Sunday
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The Titans elevated Carter from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
Carter is set to suit up for Sunday's game against the Giants. The running back played in 13 games for the Cardinals in 2025, logging 92 carries for 333 yards and a touchdown, as well as 33 receptions for 267 yards. Carter is set to be the No. 4 option if Tyjae Spears (ankle) is ruled out and inactive if Spears is all set to play.
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Michael Carter: Joins Titans' practice squad
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The Titans signed Carter to the practice squad Monday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.
Carter was released by the Titans on Sunday, but he was back with the organization 24 hours later. The 2021 fourth-round pick of the Jets has appeared in 61 regular-season games with New York and the Cardinals, amassing 1,692 rushing yards off 418 attempts and catching 145 passes for 1,038 yards while totaling 10 total touchdowns (nine rushing, one receiving). Carter has a fair amount of starting experience and put together some serviceable performances for Arizona down the stretch last season, so he could get a chance to see the field for the Titans at some point during the 2026 campaign.
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Michael Carter: Cut loose by Tennessee
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The Titans released Carter on Sunday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.
Carter saw ample playing time down the stretch last regular season for the Cardinals, finishing with 333 rushing yards and a touchdown on 92 carries (3.6 average) to go with a 33-267-0 line on 45 targets over 13 games. Even so, Carter didn't have a robust market in free agency this offseason and joined the Titans on a modest one-year deal in April. He was forced to compete for a job throughout training camp and the preseason and fell short in his battle for a roster spot, with Tennessee opting to keep four other running backs (Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Nicholas Singleton and Julius Chestnut) over him.
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Titans' Michael Carter: Joining Tennessee
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The Titans and Carter agreed to terms of a contract Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Since the Cardinals claimed Carter off waivers from the Jets in November 2023, Carter made 22 regular-season appearances (six starts) for his new team, totaling 149 carries for 613 yards (4.1 YPC) and two touchdowns and 53 catches (on 67 targets) for 357 yards and one more TD. His role was contingent on health -- not only his own but also that of backfield mates like James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee). Considering Tennessee boasts holdover running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears and may pounce on a top RB in the 2026 NFL Draft, Carter could find touches difficult to come by without injuries affecting the aforementioned duo.
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Cardinals' Michael Carter: Minimal production in season finale
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Carter rushed seven times for 18 yards, adding three catches for 21 yards in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Rams. He finished the season with 92 rushes for 333 yards and one touchdown, adding 33 receptions for 267 yards on 45 targets.
Despite an uneven 2025 campaign, Carter finished the season as the team leader in carries, rushing yards, targets, receptions and receiving yards. The 26-year-old was forced into a bigger role in the backfield when teammates James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee) were lost early in the season. Alongside Emari Demercado and Bam Knight, Carter handled backfield duties for a significant part of the season, allowing him to show off his abilities ahead of the 2026 offseason, in which he will become an unrestricted free agent. Though it is unclear if he'll be back with Arizona, the North Carolina product has likely done enough to garner interest from teams around the NFL as a versatile rotational player out of the backfield.
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Cardinals' Michael Carter: RBs to Sit
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Carter had a great opportunity the past two weeks to help Fantasy managers with matchups against Atlanta and Cincinnati, and he combined for 12.8 PPR points over that span with 18 carries for 94 yards and two catches for 14 yards on six targets. Even though he'll remain the lead running back against the Rams in Week 18, you can't trust Carter as anything more than a low-end flex in most formats.
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Cardinals' Michael Carter: Held in check by Cincy
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Carter carried the ball seven times for 29 yards and caught two of four targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 37-14 loss to the Bengals.
The Cardinals were down 23-7 at halftime and didn't get closer, so game script wasn't in Carter's favor as a runner. He still caught multiple passes for the sixth time in seven games however, a stretch in which he's put together 214 yards on the ground with a 4.6 YPC while adding a 21-169-0 line on 30 targets. Arizona has nothing on the line but draft positioning in Week 18, but the Cardinals also don't have many other healthy RBs, so Carter could remain the starter in the team's season finale against the Rams.
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Cardinals' Michael Carter: Sleeper RBs
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Carter ran well in Week 16 against Atlanta with 11 carries for 65 yards, but he failed to catch a pass on two targets. This was the first time in three tries where Carter failed to score at least 13.4 PPR points when getting double digits in touches, and I expect him to have a decent workload again in Week 17 against the Bengals. Cincinnati is No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and 21 guys have scored at least 11.1 PPR points against the Bengals this season. I like Carter as a high-end flex option in all leagues in Week 17.
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Cardinals' Michael Carter: Week 17 Adds (RB Preview)
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Carter is still just 60% rostered and is the highest ranked waiver wire running back in our consensus rankings this week. He ran well last week but his receiving production disappeared. I would expect a bounce back in Week 17 for this entire offense and would expect around 15 touches for Carter. Part of the reason for his low volume was that the team only ran 56 offensive plays. They should have the ball longer against the Bengals.
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Cardinals' Michael Carter: Week 17 Waiver Priority List
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Carter ran well in Week 16 against Atlanta with 11 carries for 65 yards, but he had no catches on two targets. I expect him to be more involved in the passing game against Cincinnati in Week 17, and the Bengals are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Carter is worth using as a No. 2 running back in all leagues.
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Cardinals' Michael Carter: Gains 65 yards as starter Sunday
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Carter rushed 11 times for 65 yards while failing to collect either of his two targets in Sunday's 26-19 loss to Atlanta.
Carter was officially named the starter after Bam Knight (ankle) was placed on injured reserve following the latter's early exit in last week's loss to Houston. The 26-year-old Carter logged seven fewer touches in Sunday's start than he did taking over mid-game for the starter in Week 15. The North Carolina product still commanded the lion's share of backfield carries, finishing well ahead of backups Corey Kiner (6-32-0) and Emari Demercado (5-30-0). Carter should continuing seeing enough volume as Arizona's fill-in starter to warrant fantasy consideration for Saturday's road tilt against the Bengals.
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Cardinals' Michael Carter: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Zonovan Knight (ankle) was placed on injured reserve, which should allow Carter to be the lead running back for the Cardinals in Week 16. He has two games this season with double digits in carries in Week 5 against Tennessee and Week 15 at Houston, and Carter scored at least 12 PPR points in both outings. He hasn't run well this season at 3.3 yards per carry, but he does have at least four catches in three of his past five games. The Falcons have allowed nine running backs to score at least 11.1 PPR points in their past nine games, and Carter is worth using as a low-end No. 2 running back in the majority of leagues in Week 16.
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Cardinals' Michael Carter: Sleeper RBs
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Zonovan Knight (ankle) was placed on injured reserve, which should allow Carter to be the lead running back for the Cardinals in Week 16. He has two games this season with double digits in carries in Week 5 against Tennessee and Week 15 at Houston, and Carter scored at least 12 PPR points in both outings. He hasn't run well this season at 3.3 yards per carry, but he does have at least four catches in three of his past five games. The Falcons have allowed nine running backs to score at least 11.1 PPR points in their past nine games, and Carter is worth using as a low-end No. 2 running back in the majority of leagues in Week 16.
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Cardinals' Michael Carter: Coach confirms Week 16 start
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Head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed Friday that Carter will start Sunday's game against the Falcons, Theo Mackie of AZCentral reports.
Carter handled 18 touches and churned out a season-high 94 scrimmage yards after Bam Knight injured his ankle in the Week 15 loss to Houston. Knight was subsequently placed on IR, clearing the path for Carter to take on the starting role Sunday and likely for the remainder of the season, with Emari Demercado and Corey Kiner on hand for depth.
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Cardinals' Michael Carter: Likely to lead backfield in Week 16
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Carter is expected to serve as the Cardinals' lead back in Sunday's game against the Falcons after Arizona placed Bam Knight (ankle) on injured reserve Tuesday, Zach Gershman of Arizona's official site reports.
Emari Demercado and third-stringer Corey Kiner also provide depth in the Arizona backfield, but Demercado has been used mostly as a change-of-pace option this season, while Kiner is an undrafted rookie out of Cincinnati with one game of NFL experience. When Knight departed with an ankle sprain after playing just one snap Sunday, Carter dominated the snaps (53, 80 percent share) and touches (18, for 94 yards from scrimmage) at running back. With Knight now out for the season, Carter should continue leading the Arizona ground attack, and his soundness as a pass blocker and receiver should also afford him plenty of work on passing downs. While he's been woefully inefficient as a runner (3.3 yards per carry on 67 totes), he could see enough volume in an up-tempo Cardinals offense to make him a useful lineup option during the fantasy playoffs.
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Cardinals' Michael Carter: Week 16 Adds (RB Preview)
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Bam Knight averaged 10 PPR FPPG in his time as the starter, and I would not be surprised if Carter sees a larger share of the snaps and work than Knight did. Last week, Carter was RB19 against the Texans with 18 touches and 13.4 PPR Fantasy points. That is very close to what I project for him this week if Knight is out.
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Cardinals' Michael Carter: Week 16 Waiver Priority List
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Carter took over for an injured Zonovan Knight (ankle) in Week 15 at Houston and had 14 carries for 56 yards and four catches for 38 yards on four targets. Knight isn't expected to play in Week 16 against Atlanta, and he could be out for the rest of the season. Carter could be the starter in Arizona for the next two games, and he has great matchups against the Falcons and then Cincinnati in Week 17. Emari Demercado (21 percent rostered) would also have a role, but Carter should be considered a borderline starter in all leagues against Atlanta if Knight is out as expected.
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Cardinals' Michael Carter: Struggles behind starter Sunday
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Carter gained 13 yards on three carries and caught two of four targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 45-17 blowout loss to the Rams.
Fill-in starter Bam Knight (7-18-0) struggled against the Rams' defense, but Carter didn't fare much better in his limited opportunities. The 26-year-old depth piece is averaging just 3.0 yards per carry this season, which puts no pressure on the coaching staff to elevate Carter's role amidst all of Arizona's backfield injuries in 2025. Carter will continue to carry little fantasy value in a brutal matchup against the Texans next Sunday.
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Cardinals' Michael Carter: Week 14 Waiver Priority List
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Keep an eye on Trey Benson (knee) and Emari Demercado (ankle), and if both remain out in Week 14 against the Rams then Carter could be a flex option in deeper leagues. He'll continue to play in tandem with Zonovan Knight, but Carter has scored at least 7.8 PPR points in each of his past three games against San Francisco, Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, and he has 13 catches for 99 yards on 16 targets over that span. Carter is worth adding in all leagues for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAB, with his value slightly higher in PPR.
