Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter has "been the first RB working with the starters both days this week," according to Theo Mackie of azcentral.com. Arizona re-signed Carter to a practice squad contract earlier this week after releasing him on Monday in a procedural move. With presumed RB1 Trey Benson (knee) sidelined for at least one more week due to a knee injury, Carter and Bam Knight should see the team's carries in Week 9 against the Dallas Cowboys. Emari Demercado (ankle) could factor into the backfield mix as well. In Arizona's final two games before its Week 8 bye, Knight earned 29 touches compared to 20 for Carter. Still, it appears Carter will remain a part of Arizona's offensive game plan. He profiles as a low-end flex option for fantasy managers in a favorable Week 9 matchup against Dallas.

From RotoBaller

The Arizona Cardinals announced on Tuesday that they re-signed running back Michael Carter to their practice squad and released running back D'Ernest Johnson in a corresponding move. The move to add Carter back to the team was made after they released him on Monday. Coming out of their Week 8 bye, the Cardinals currently only have Bam Knight and Emari Demercado (ankle) on the active 53-man roster at the RB position, so if Demercado cannot play in Week 9 against the Dallas Cowboys, Carter will most likely rejoin the active roster this weekend. The 26-year-old was Arizona's lead back for the first game after Trey Benson (knee) landed in Injured Reserve, but Knight took over lead-back duties the following week and hasn't looked back. Carter is only averaging 2.8 yards on the ground on 35 rushing attempts in his four games in 2025 with the Cardinals and is only a bench stash for RB depth in deeper fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

The Arizona Cardinals plan to re-sign running back Michael Carter after releasing him on Monday, a source told Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. Carter initially took over as the team's lead running back for one game after Trey Benson (knee) landed on Injured Reserve, but it didn't take long for Bam Knight to take over lead-back duties. The Cardinals are coming off their bye in Week 8 to face the Dallas Cowboys this weekend, and the 26-year-old Carter is expected to return to his duties as the RB2 behind Knight. In the Week 7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Carter had just seven carries for 11 yards. It's hard to even recommend Carter as an RB3/flex in deeper leagues as long as he's playing second fiddle to Knight in what has been a very inconsistent Cardinals offense, even in a plus upcoming matchup against Dallas.

From RotoBaller

The Arizona Cardinals released veteran running back Michael Carter on Monday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. It comes as a surprise with the Cardinals coming off their Week 8 bye. James Conner (foot) is already out for the year, and Trey Benson (knee) isn't eligible to come off Injured Reserve until Week 10. Bam Knight became the team's RB1 several weeks before the Cardinals went on bye, but Emari Demercado (ankle) was unable to play in Week 7, so Arizona's RB depth was already a bit thin. With Carter now on the street, D'Ernest Johnson and Jermar Jefferson would be the next men up behind Knight in Week 9 against the Dallas Cowboys if Demercado misses another game. In his four games with the Cardinals, Carter averaged just 2.8 yards per carry for 97 rushing yards and a touchdown on 35 carries.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter is set to receive more opportunities after a third member of the backfield went down with an injury in Emari Demercado (ankle). During the Week 6 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, Carter saw 44% of the snap share after getting 58% against the Tennessee Titans in Week 5. Against the Green Bay Packers in Week 7, Carter and Bam Knight will split the backfield work, but Carter is likely to see some more opportunities in the passing game. He received five targets in each of the last two games and turned them into seven receptions for 52 yards. The Packers are ranked fifth against opposing running backs, however, and have given up just two touchdowns on the ground this season. Carter does hold some low-end flex value in deeper leagues, but he'll be hard to trust since the Cardinals will likely go with the hot hand.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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From FantasyLife

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

Week 6 RB Rankings: Rico Dowdle Looks for Repeat in Revenge Game Against the Cowboys Matthew Freedman releases his RB Rankings and favorite plays in fantasy football for Week 6, featuring Rico Dowdle, Hassan Haskins, Michael Carter and more. [Read More]

From FantasyLife

Week 6 RB Rankings: Rico Dowdle Looks for Repeat in Revenge Game Against the Cowboys Matthew Freedman releases his RB Rankings and favorite plays in fantasy football for Week 6, featuring Rico Dowdle, Hassan Haskins, Michael Carter and more. [Read More]

From FantasyLife

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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From FantasyLife

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From FantasyLife

Fantasy Football Takeaways: Jacory Croskey-Merritt Leads The Utilization Report For Week 6 Welcome to the Utilization Report, presented by DraftKings, where Dwain McFarland highlights his top fantasy football takeaways heading into Week 6. [Read More]

From FantasyLife

Dynasty | Cardinals running back Michael Carter had 51 rushing yards, five catches, 22 receiving yards, and one touchdown in a loss to the Titans. Dynasty Analysis: Carter had said earlier in the week that he was going to be the starter taking over for Trey Benson (who had subsequently taken over for James Conner) and that proved to be the case as he had 18 of the 25 carries by running backs and five of the six catches as well. Emari Demercado had the play of the game in just about every way as he busted a 71-yard run but spoiled it by dropping the ball before crossing the goal line. Carter should keep the job moving forward and could make for a solid short-term starter or rental for contending dynasty teams.

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller