Michael Carter
RB ARI (8)
Sat 8/19/23 8:28 PM

Carter didn't dress for Saturday night's preseason game against the Bucs, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
While Carter got the night off, both Zonovan Knight and rookie Israel Abanikanda are dressed and playing versus Tampa Bay. It's a signal from the coaching staff that Carter is firmly ahead of both for the Jets' No. 3 running back job behind Breece Hall and newcomer Dalvin Cook.

Michael Carter
RB ARI (8)
Tue 8/15/23 6:19 PM

Carter's expected to be the Jets' No. 3 running back this season, as Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that the team has agreed to a one-year contract with Dalvin Cook (shoulder).
EDGE Analysis
Both Cook and Breece Hall (knee) are recovering from injuries, but New York's optimistic that they will both be available come Week 1. Carter has been working ahead of Zonovan Knight and rookie firth-round pick Israel Abanikanda in training camp, so the 2021 fourth-round pick remains likely to secure a roster spot in New York's deep backfield. Barring a setback or new injury for one of Cook or Hall, Carter's role is expected to be limited. Hall and Cook have career averages of 5.8 and 4.7 yards per carry, respectively, well above Carter's 4.0 YPC.

Michael Carter
RB ARI (8)
Sat 8/12/23 7:10 PM

Carter rushed four times for 19 yards and caught both of his targets for 34 yards in Saturday's 27-0 preseason win over the Panthers.
EDGE Analysis
Carter got the start, but Zonovan Knight (16 yards on five touches) also mixed in on the team's first possession as both running backs made their respective preseason debuts after sitting out the Hall of Fame Game. A 25-yard catch on the opening possession accounted for almost half of Carter's yardage, which was accrued across the Jets' first two drives. In the event that Breece Hall's (knee) absence lingers into the regular season, Carter and Knight would likely open the season in a timeshare, but Carter's superior receiving skills should allow him to carve out a change-of-pace role even once Hall is healthy. Rookie fifth-round pick Israel Abanikanda is also vying for playing time, but he's likely more of a threat to Knight's role than Carter's.

Michael Carter
RB ARI (8)
Thu 8/3/23 7:35 PM

Carter isn't slated to suit up for Thursday's Hall of Fame Game versus the Browns, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Breece Hall continues to reside on the active/PUP list due to the ACL tear that he suffered Week 7 of last season. Meanwhile, Carter and Zonavon Knight also won't play Thursday, leaving rookie Israel Abanikanda, Travis Dye and Damarea Crockett as the Jets' backfield options for the team's preseason opener. Carter's next chance to get exhibition action is Saturday, Aug. 12 at Carolina.

Michael Carter
RB ARI (8)
Tue 7/25/23 5:30 PM

Carter is optimistic that he will bounce back in 2023 after a tough sophomore season in 2022, Andy Vasquez of NJ.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Carter worked in a change-of-pace role behind Breece Hall early in 2022 but failed to step up after Hall suffered a season-ending ACL tear. The Jets faced stacked boxes due to their poor quarterback play, and Carter found minimal room to showcase his speed, dropping from 964 scrimmage yards in 14 games as a rookie to 690 in 16 appearances in his second season. Hall's still recovering from his knee injury but the Jets drafted Israel Abanikanda in the fifth round in 2023 as insurance. Even if Hall regains health by Week 1, Carter's receiving ability should keep him involved in the game plan.

Michael Carter
RB ARI (8)
Sun 1/8/23 8:53 PM

Carter rushed three times for four yards and caught two of three targets for one yard in Sunday's 11-6 loss to the Dolphins.
EDGE Analysis
Carter struggled down the stretch along with the entire Jets offense. He totaled 402 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 114 carries while catching 41 of 554 targets for 288 yards over 16 appearances in 2022. Carter was used primarily in a change-of-pace role in his second NFL season, and he'll likely see similar usage in 2023.

Michael Carter
RB ARI (8)
Mon 1/2/23 3:19 PM

Carter rushed once for two yards and caught two of three targets for three yards in Sunday's 23-6 loss to Seattle.
EDGE Analysis
Carter was used sparingly while Ty Johnson and Zonovan Knight racked up eight rushing attempts apiece, totaling 46 and 27 yards, respectively. New York's injury-riddled offense has fallen apart down the stretch, and Carter hasn't mustered more than 21 rushing yards in a game since Week 9. The 2021 fourth-round pick will wrap up his second NFL season against the Dolphins in Week 18.

Michael Carter
RB ARI (8)
Fri 12/23/22 12:16 AM

Carter rushed twice for six yards and brought in all five targets for 44 yards in the Jets' 19-3 loss to the Jaguars on Thursday night.
EDGE Analysis
The conventional Jets ground attack was an abject failure Thursday -- Carter, Zonovan Knight and Ty Johnson combined for 11 yards on 10 carries -- but Carter found a way to salvage his night somewhat with his work through the air. The second-year back paced the Jets in receptions and receiving yards, with both totals also serving as his second highest of the campaign. Given the general state of disarray the Jets' offense is in, it's difficult to predict if there will be a clear-cut early-down back between Carter and Knight in a Week 17 road matchup against the vulnerable Seahawks run defense a week from Sunday.

Michael Carter
RB ARI (8)
Sun 12/18/22 5:10 PM

Carte rushed four times for 15 yards and caught his only target for 16 yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Lions.
EDGE Analysis
After going without a touch well into the third quarter, Carter made a spectacular play to bail out quarterback Zach Wilson, plucking a sitting duck of a throw out of the air for a 16-yard gain. Carter was rewarded with rushing attempts on the next two plays, which went for a combined nine yards. He added two more carries over the course of the game and was more effective on a per-touch basis than Zonovan Knight, who mustered only 23 yards on 13 carries. Carter may get more touches Thursday against the Jaguars if Knight struggles early, though New York could also opt to reintroduce James Robinson (coach's decision) into the backfield mix against Robinson's former team.

Michael Carter
RB ARI (8)
Sun 12/11/22 4:46 PM

Carter (ankle) rushed five times for five yards and caught three of six targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 20-12 loss to Buffalo. He also lost a fumble.
EDGE Analysis
Carter ceded most of the backfield opportunities to Zonovan Knight, who rushed for 71 yards and New York's only touchdown on 17 attempts. The former also lost a crucial fumble just outside the red zone with the Jets trailing by 11 in the fourth quarter. This disastrous performance won't help Carter cut into Knight's workload in Week 15, though there could be enough opportunities to go around for both Jets running backs to find success against the leaky Lions run defense.