Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter had his snaps scaled back in the team's loss to the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, ceding work to teammate Bam Knight (knee). However, Carter could see his role expand again in Week 7, as he's currently the only active RB without an injury designation. The Cardinals' backfield has already taken significant hits with injuries to James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee). Now, Emari Demercado (ankle) and Knight have missed practice time with injury. Carter has been inefficient in his work thus far, but the team may be forced to utilize him more as they try to figure out a backfield rotation that yields dividends. Even if the fifth-year pro gets the lion's share of opportunities this weekend, he'll be a low-end option for his matchup with the league's No. 1 team against the run, the Green Bay Packers.
Oct 16, 2025 11:24 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter is not expected to lead the team's backfield during Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Instead, Bam Knight will handle lead-back duties for Arizona. The Cardinals have been experimenting with personnel after losing James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee). Third-string running back Emari Demercado has remained in a third-down role, and it was Carter who led the unit with 18 carries last Sunday. However, he was relatively inefficient with just 2.8 yards per carry, which could be the reason why he's now in the backup role and Knight is getting an opportunity to lead the way. Knight, who had four rushes for 11 yards and a touchdown last week, hasn't started an NFL game since his rookie campaign with the New York Jets in 2022. The Colts represent a tough matchup, so Carter's reduced volume takes him off the fantasy radar in most formats.
Oct 12, 2025 11:52 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Bam Knight will take over as the team's lead back in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Michael Carter will be relegated to the backup role while Emari Demercado handles the bulk of the third-down snaps. This represents a personnel change after Carter led the backfield with 18 touches last Sunday. Carter scored a touchdown in that game, but he was inefficient with just 2.8 yards per carry, which could be why Arizona is switching to Knight for Week 6. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly. Knight is suddenly a solid RB3/flex option against the Colts, while Carter and Demercado should be benched in most leagues. All three have relatively low floors given the state of the Cardinals' offense, which will be led by Jacoby Brissett and not Kyler Murray (foot) in Week 6.
Oct 12, 2025 10:44 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter leap-frogged the rest of the depth chart when he was elevated from the practice squad last week. After James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee) both went down for extended periods of time, Carter saw 23 touches and 57.4% of the offensive snaps. Leaving Emari Demercado and Bam Knight to pick up the scraps. He seems to be in line for a similar workload, especially if Kyler Murray (foot) can't play, but Week 6 presents a tough matchup. The Indianapolis Colts are ranked as the sixth-toughest unit against opposing backfields, allowing just 18.12 fantasy points per game. Carter seems to have a ceiling of a low-end RB2, which could be a decent flex play in deeper leagues.
Oct 11, 2025 1:12 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter appears poised to shoulder a significant portion of the team's backfield workload for the foreseeable future. The Cardinals are without veteran James Conner (ankle) for the remainder of the season, and second-year back Trey Benson (knee) is on Injured Reserve due to a knee injury. In the team's first full game without both players in Week 5, Carter logged 73 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 23 total touches. In contrast, fellow Arizona running backs Emari Demercado and Bam Knight combined for just eight touches. The Cardinals could be without starting quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts, potentially leading to a run-heavy game plan for the team. Carter profiles as a low-end fantasy RB2 in Week 6.
Oct 10, 2025 10:42 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter is listed as the RB1 on the team's depth chart going into a Week 6 clash against the Indianapolis Colts on the road on Sunday. Emari Demercado is listed as the No. 2, with Bam Knight following him. James Conner (ankle) is out for the rest of the season, while Trey Benson (knee) is out four to six weeks due to a knee injury. In Arizona's new-look backfield in the Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Carter operated as the clear lead back, carrying the ball 18 times for 51 yards and a touchdown and catching all five of his targets for another 22 yards. Demercado and Knight combined for only nine touches, with Demercado botching what would have been a 70-plus-yard touchdown. Even though Carter wasn't very efficient with his 23 touches, it's clear the Cardinals are going to lean heavily on him with Benson out. Carter should be scooped up off waivers this week if he's still available in your league.
Oct 7, 2025 5:48 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter dominated backfield touches in Week 5, the team's first full game without running backs James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee). Carter recorded 73 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 23 total touches in Week 5, while fellow Arizona backs Emari Demercado and Bam Knight combined for just eight total touches. With Conner out for the season and Benson currently on Injured Reserve, Carter could have an extended window as the Cardinals' clear RB1. Carter is a priority waiver-wire addition in any league where he's not already rostered. He profiles as a low-end RB2/high-end RB3/flex option in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Oct 7, 2025 11:48 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter recorded 18 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown as well as five catches for 22 yards in his team's 22-21 Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans. In Arizona's first full game without both running backs James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee), Carter recorded 23 touches, compared to eight combined touches for fellow Cardinals backs Emari Demercado and Bam Knight. While Carter did not have his most efficient day as a rusher in Week 5, he looks like the clear number one option in the run game for Arizona. Additionally, Demercado broke a long run that should have been a touchdown but dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line, which could put him in the dog house with Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. With Conner out for the season and Benson on Injured Reserve, Carter should be a priority waiver-wire addition in any league where he is not already rostered.
Oct 6, 2025 10:19 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries during Sunday's Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans. He also caught all five of his targets for an additional 22 receiving yards. After plenty of speculation about the backfield roles in Arizona, Carter handled early-down work, Emari Demercado played third downs, and Bam Knight rotated in occasionally. Carter easily saw the bulk of the workload, totaling 23 touches while staying involved both on the ground and through the air. His lack of yardage efficiency could leave the backfield in a by-committee state ahead of Week 6, but Carter has the early advantage in the competition. He'll continue to rank as a high-end RB3/flex for next week's clash in Indianapolis.
Oct 6, 2025 1:17 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter is expected to see a significant workload in Week 5 after Trey Benson (knee) was placed on injured reserve. "He's played a lot of snaps for us over the last couple years and he's going to now," general manager Monti Ossenfort said regarding Carter's expected workload. Indeed, Carter played roughly 75 percent of the offensive snaps between Weeks 17 and 18 last season, rushing for 5.4 yards per carry in one of those games and scoring a touchdown in the other. He should face plenty of competition from Emari Demercado, but the general manager's comments indicate that the Cardinals could be headed for more of a true backfield split than people originally expected, even after Carter logged just one touch through the first four weeks of the season. Demercado is a high-end RB3/flex option, while Carter is best viewed as a mid-to-low RB3/flex.
Oct 4, 2025 1:09 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter could be in line to take over as the team's primary early-down back with running backs James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee) both currently on Injured Reserve. Carter figures to split touches in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans with Emari Demercado and possibly Bam Knight, but earlier reporting has indicated that Carter could be the team's preferred choice to assume the majority of the rush attempts. Carter has recorded 2,131 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns on 439 touches across 49 career NFL games (22 starts). He profiles as a high-end RB3/flex option in a favorable Week 5 matchup against Tennessee.
Oct 3, 2025 10:35 AM EST
ESPN's Adam Schefter said on the Thursday edition of his podcast that he thinks Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter will be "thrust to prominence" following injuries to fellow Cardinals backs James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee). Carter has been active for just one of Arizona's games so far in 2025 and opened the season behind Conner, Benson, and Emari Demercado on the team's running back depth chart. However, Schefter reports that Demercado is expected to remain Arizona's third-down back, creating an opportunity for Carter to step in as the team's primary rusher. Carter has recorded 2,131 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns on 439 touches across 49 career NFL games (22 starts). Heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Carter profiles as a high-end fantasy RB3/flex option.
Oct 2, 2025 4:31 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running backs Emari Demercado and Michael Carter are splitting reps at practice on Thursday out of the backfield during individual work in the portion of practice open to the media, according to Tyler Drake. James Conner (ankle) was lost for the year in Week 3, and now Trey Benson (knee) is on Injured Reserve (out at least four games), paving the way for Demercado and Carter to take over backfield duties in the desert. Carter said on Wednesday that he will start for the Cardinals in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans, but fantasy managers should take those comments with a grain of salt. Based on what is transpiring in practice, it looks like the Cardinals could employ a committee approach this weekend, splitting the workload down the middle among Demercado and Carter. Both RBs have been popular waiver-wire additions this week, but fantasy managers may want to temper expectations if they're splitting touches down the middle.
Oct 2, 2025 3:08 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter is a suddenly relevant fantasy name who is sending managers rushing to the waiver wires this week ahead of a matchup against the lowly Tennessee Titans. The fifth-year back told reporters on Wednesday that he's poised to start the game after the Cardinals lost their top two runnings backs, James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee), in back-to-back weeks. While Benson should return this year, the Arizona Republic reports the Cards could turn to a committee approach with Carter, Emari Demercado, and Zonovan Knight, but it was Carter who took snaps first at Wednesday's practice. Carter was a top-30 fantasy running back in 2021, and the opportunity gives him the chance at becoming a valuable fantasy add, especially during bye weeks.
Oct 2, 2025 9:24 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter told Cardinals' beat reporters on Wednesday that he will be starting at running back in Sunday's game against the Titans. Carter wasn't explicitly asked if he was going to start, but he indirectly said it when answering a question about the rollercoaster of a year he's had. There was plenty of intrigue and uncertainty around Arizona's backfield following Trey Benson (knee) surprisingly being placed on IR. Some assumed that Emari Demercado would operate as the primary back after seeing most of the snaps in Benson's absence last week against the Seahawks. But Demercado played primarily in his normal role on special teams and on pass downs as the Cardinals were in comeback mode. Carter doesn't play special teams and was inactive for the first three games, then played only four snaps last week. He operated as a lead back late last season when all the Arizona backs were hurt, and it looks like he'll get another opportunity. Carter feels like an RB that fantasy managers can pick up and then plug and play into their lineup this week as he gets a dream matchup against the lowly Titans.
Oct 1, 2025 8:08 PM EST
According to Theo Mackie of AZCentral Sports, Cardinals running back Michael Carter was seen taking first-team reps during Wednesday's practice. This is important to note as the team placed starting running back Trey Benson (knee) on the injured reserve on Wednesday. Carter figures to split work with Emari Demercado. However, seeing that Carter is already taking first-team reps, the coaching staff may favor him as their primary back. The 26-year-old logged just one carry during their Week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, while Demercado was given a slightly more prominent role. Fantasy managers should continue to closely monitor this backfield leading up to their contest against the Tennessee Titans this weekend. Fantasy managers should look to add Carter to their roster in all standard formats ahead of their Week 5 matchup.
Oct 1, 2025 3:28 PM EST
The Arizona Cardinals "could turn to (running back) Michael Carter as their lead back" if running back Trey Benson (undisclosed) misses time, according to Theo Mackie of azcentral.com. Benson is currently considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. Carter played in his first game of 2025 in Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks, recording one carry for one yard. Emari Demercado served as the team's RB2 behind Benson against Seattle, but he is considered a passing-downs specialist. Carter played in three games for the Cardinals in 2024, logging 35 carries for 131 yards and a touchdown. Pending further updates on Benson's status for Week 5, Carter could be a player to add in deeper leagues ahead of Arizona's Week 5 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Sep 30, 2025 9:13 PM EST
The Arizona Cardinals signed running back Michael Carter to their active roster on Monday, according to Dani Sureck of AZCardinals.com. Carter played in his first game with the Cardinals this year in last Thursday night's loss to the Seattle Seahawks now that James Conner (ankle) is out for the year, but he had just one carry for one yard. The 26-year-old former New York Jets RB will continue to provide depth in Arizona's backfield, and he could be in line for a bigger role in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans if Trey Benson (undisclosed) is out or limited at all. Benson came down with an apparent injury in Week 4 and is considered day-to-day right now. If Benson were to miss any time, Emari Demercado would be the next man up for the Cardinals in the lead-back role.
Sep 29, 2025 7:14 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter contributed a bit more in the passing game in the team's second preseason game against the Denver Broncos on Saturday. The entire team couldn't get much going, but Carter ended up with 10 yards on eight carries to go along with five receptions for 19 yards on five targets. Carter is trying to fight his way into the depth chart with the likes of Emari Demercado and DeeJay Dallas, which is a doable feat, but the run game has left a lot to be desired in Arizona. Through two games this preseason, Carter has amassed 15 carries for 30 yards and five catches for 19 yards.
Aug 17, 2025 10:43 AM EST
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter scored his first rushing touchdown of the season in the 47-24 win over the San Francisco 49ers. With running backs James Conner (knee) and Trey Benson (ankle) inactive for the season finale, Michael Carter stepped in as the starting running back and toted 17 carries for 43 yards. Carter was also active in the passing game, catching four passes for 16 yards. Carter showed some burst last season but struggled to get elevated off the practice squad in 2024. However, due to injuries at the top of the Cardinals' running back depth chart, Carter was elevated toward the end of the season and played with a lot of effort. The Cardinals' running game had another strong season in 2024, and Carter's contributions were a key part of that success.
Jan 5, 2025 11:02 PM EST
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