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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Michael Carter #22 of the Arizona Cardinals rushes for yards during the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Arizona Cardinals had nothing but problems last year with their running back room. Both starters, James Conner and Trey Benson, became injured and found IR their new home.
This forced the offense to use their primary backups, and also brought up practice squad guys.
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One of those backups that the team relied upon last season was Michael Carter. At season’s end, he was an unrestricted free agent. Now, he has signed a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans. He rejoins his former coach, Robert Saleh.
Carter was a last day cut after training camp last year. He cleared waivers and then was signed to the Cardinals practice squad. After the injuries to both Conner and Benson, the team’s third RB Emari Demercado was promoted to the starting position. Carter was then elevated to one of the backup positions along with Bam Knight.
In 2025, he had 92 carries for 333 yards with 19 first-down conversions and one touchdown. Having great hands, he also had 33 receptions for 267 yards. His best game was in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons, in which Carter had 11 carries for 65 yards and a 5.9 yards per carry average.
Carter was a fourth-round selection of the New York Jets in the 2021 draft after being named First Team All-ACC out of North Carolina. Saleh was then the head coach of the Jets and was hired as the Titans’ head coach this offseason, so Carter’s signing is a reunion.
He came to Arizona in 2023 and was either a practice squad member or was on the main roster all three seasons. He played on 1,694 offensive snaps. There was sentiment that perhaps Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort would re-sign Carter after a good season last year. Demercado was also a free agent and inked a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, so there was an opening for RB3.
Instead, Ossenfort brought in Tyler Allgeier during free agency, who is an NFL starting-caliber back, and also re-signed Knight as a depth piece. Both Conner and Benson are expected to be available for training camp after extensive rehabs.
Carter was consistently heralded for his work ethic.
