Carter (quadriceps) practiced fully in Friday's practice. After upgrading from limited to full practice participation from Thursday to Friday, it's looking like Carter is a good bet to make his return to the starting Dallas defense against Washington on Monday. Carter and Rolando McClain have been a surprisingly effective pair when healthy, and the Dallas defense should get another boost in Week 9 if DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) is ready to play, as expected.

Carter (quadriceps) was limited in Thursday's practice, the Cowboys' official site reports. "I'm going to be ready to play. I'm going to listen to my body and see how the week goes," he said. "Today it felt great, and I was able to move around and burst and do those sort of things. It just felt good to hit somebody else." Carter, who returned to drills for the first time since sustaining a strained quad in Week 4, is expected to team up with Justin Durant and Rolando McClain at linebacker in Dallas' 4-3 alignment. With 25 tackles (17 solo), four passes defended, one interception for a touchdown, and one sack on the ledger in portions of four tilts, Carter is a great bet to warrant usage in IDP formats right off the bat.

Carter (quad) will return to practice on Thursday, and should be in the lineup Monday against Washington, the Dallas Morning News reports. He'll resume his starting role at strong-side linebacker, and could be a useful IDP asset if you're having bye week issues.

Carter (thigh) will not play Sunday against the Giants but expects to return in Week 8 against Washington, the Dallas Morning News reports. The fourth-year linebacker has been able to increase the intensity of his running in recent days, but Carter went ahead and ruled himself out for Week 7, meaning Kyle Wilber will draw another start at strongside linebacker against New York. Carter seems optimistic, however, that he will be able to rebuild enough strength in time to play in Week 8, following a three-game absence.

Carter (thigh) may be able to return Sunday against the Giants, Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones did not rule out Carter on Tuesday when speaking about the team's injured players with the media.

Carter (thigh) is out for Sunday's game against Seattle. With Carter out and Rolando McClain (groin) questionable, what was already a favorable matchup for Marshawn Lynch is now well beyond enticing.

Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones wasn't optimistic about the chances of Carter (quad) playing against the Seahawks on Sunday, the Dallas Morning News reports. Anthony Hitchens took Carter's place at string-side linebacker last week against the Texans, but with Rolando McClain also battling a groin injury, the Cowboys' linebacking corps could be a very patchwork affair in Week 6.

Carter (quad) didn't practice Wednesday and has ruled himself out for Week 5's tilt against the Texans, Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com reports. He's aiming to be ready for the following week's game in Seattle. Kyle Wilber will get the start at strong side linebacker while Carter is sidelined.

Carter is considered week to week after an MRI on Monday confirmed he suffered a quadriceps strain during Sunday night's game against the Saints, The Dallas Morning News reports. Carter was rounding into great form prior to Sunday's Week 4 injury, as he posted 12 tackles, an interception, and a touchdown in Dallas' Week 3 win over St. Louis. Nonetheless, in wake of Sunday's quad strain, the versatile linebacker will now be hard-pressed to play in Sunday's next game against the Texans. Should Carter indeed be ruled out, rookie Anthony Hitchens or Kyle Wilber could be promoted to the Cowboys' starting strongside linebacker position.

Carter suffered a right quad injury during the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Saints, and he will not return to the contest, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News Carter pulled up lame while trying to make a tackle, and though the injury looked somewhat serious, he was standing around on the sideline shortly thereafter. He had six tackles (three solo) and two pass defenses before leaving, after recording 12 tackles (nine solo) and a pick-six last week against the Rams. Health permitting, Carter could have a breakout IDP season, as he's been working as a three-down linebacker. He had 96 tackles (73 solo) in 15 games last year, after recording 70 (51 solo) in just 11 games in 2012.