Michael Carter

Last week, with Zonovan Knight injured and Emari Demercado back, Carter was given the keys to the offense to operate as their bellcow with an 80.3% snap share, 18 touches, and 94 total yards. Carter also had a 62.8% route share and a 10% target share. I expect Carter to operate in this role again this week. Carter hasn't been efficient with his workload, sadly. He hasn't managed an explosive run this season while posting only a 4% missed tackle rate and 1.39 yards after contact per attempt. Carter is a volume-based RB2/3. Since Week 11, Atlanta's run defense has picked up the slack, allowing the ninth-fewest rushing yards per game, the third-lowest explosive run rate, and the fourth-fewest yards before contact per attempt.

Bam Knight was carted off the field with an ankle injury against the Texans in Week 15. With Knight out, Michael Carter was the lead back. Although the Cardinals' offense met its match against an elite Texans defense, Carter finished with 14 carries for 56 yards on the ground and four receptions for 38 yards. Considering that he did this against the Texans, Carter could very well provide RB2 numbers against the Falcons and Bengals over the next two weeks. Monitor Knight's status and adjust bids accordingly, but with Trey Benson now on season-ending injured reserve (IR), Carter and Emari Demercado are basically the only backs left in Arizona. Carter out-snapped Demercado 53-7 in a negative game script, suggesting that Carter might be a rare plug-and-play running back this late in the season.