Michael Carter Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Cardinals RB James Conner dropped 105 rushing yards and 2 scores on Pittsburgh. He handled 25 carries against his former team, the second most of his career. Rainy conditions (Sunday's game was delayed twice) and a surprise 14-point victory helped Conner handle all but 4 team RB carries. He drew 2 targets (0 catches), but it's worth noting that he topped Michael Carter in routes, 15-4. Week 14 turns up a well-earned bye. An elite 49ers defense awaits following the rest.

Cardinals RB Emari Demercado (toe) is active for today’s game vs. the Rams. It’ll be his first action since Week 8. RB Michael Carter will also make his Arizona debut today, while RB Keaontay Ingram is a healthy scratch. James Conner should still operate as the Cardinals’ clear lead back.

Cardinals RB Michael Carter is a healthy scratch for today's game vs. the Texans. Not a big surprise after he was acquired earlier this week. With RB Emari Demercado out with his toe injury, it'll be RBs Tony Jones and Keaontay Ingram behind James Conner.

The Cardinals have claimed former Jets RB Michael Carter off waivers. That gives Arizona a back who has averaged 2.4 receptions per game since he entered the league in 2021. Carter figures to work into some rushing role as well. But his greatest impact is likely to come in the passing game. The Cardinals had already favored pulling RB James Conner off the field for some passing situations, using Emari Demercado earlier this season. Week 10 found them giving the combo of Keaontay Ingram and Tony Jones Jr. nearly as many routes as Conner (13-10) in his return game. Carter brings more proven receiving ability than all of those RBs and could further cut into Conner's receiving. That doesn't doom the Arizona starter but hurts his weekly stability, especially when his team falls behind. Carter isn't likely to deliver much fantasy value the rest of the way and should be no more than a low-level PPR stash. You can drop Demercado if you haven't already. Conner remains a low-end RB2 option. Check our Week 11 RB rankings to see where he sits for the matchup with Houston.

The Jets released RB Michael Carter. The 2021 fourth-round pick totaled just eight carries and 20 targets in nine games this season, including three carries and nine targets over the last four. Carter's departure is just a slight boost for RB Breece Hall's passing-game usage. RB Dalvin Cook remains fantasy-irrelevant. We'll see where Carter lands, but he's obviously a long shot for 2023 fantasy value and is not a must-hold in dynasty. He'll turn 25 in May.

Jets RB Breece Hall saw a predictable drop in rushing production in Sunday's win over the Eagles. He tallied just 39 yards on 12 rushes (3.3 per carry) against one of the league's top run defenses. But Hall did run for the team's only TD. He also set season highs in targets (5), receptions (5), and receiving yards (54). Hall hadn't previously caught more than three passes in a game this year -- which he did each of the previous two weeks -- and hadn't produced more than 20 receiving yards. Hall dominated backfield work for the second straight game. Dalvin Cook carried only three times for 12 yards. Michael Carter carried just once. And each guy saw 1 target. Hall looks like an every-week fantasy starter going forward. Just make sure you expect production variations in a shaky-to-poor Jets offense.

The Jets are releasing RB Zonovan "Bam" Knight, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Rapoport adds that Knight "received some interest on the trade front," which could mean he'll catch on quickly elsewhere. We'll see whether Knight will be worth keeping track of heading into the season. His departure from New York should solidify RB Michael Carter's roster status.

The Jets have agreed to a one-year deal with RB Dalvin Cook. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Cook is getting "up to $8.6 million ... with the majority guaranteed." He adds that it's the largest annual average of any deal for a RB free agent this offseason. This seems to signal a few things: First, the Jets like Cook much better than any of their current RB backups and were iffy enough on that crew to make a significant upgrade. Secondly, it also indicates they want to make sure not to overwork Breece Hall in his return from the ACL tear. Hall has yet to take the field in training camp, though reports have said they expect him to be ready for the regular season. Even if that holds true, expect Cook to cut way into the available work. That moves Hall down our RB rankings and gives Cook nice contingent upside, in case Hall misses further games. The rest of the Jets' current RBs are no more than end-of-draft fliers. At least one among Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight, and Israel Abanikanda probably isn't making the regular-season roster.

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt says Jets RB Zonovan Knight has "had a really good camp -- he's quite clearly been their best RB." That's, of course, with Breece Hall not yet practicing. But it's noteworthy that Knight earns such praise over Michael Carter and rookie Israel Abanikanda. We're not betting on another Jets RB being starter-worthy in fantasy whenever Hall is active. But Hall's still-progressing recovery from the 2022 ACL tear enhances the available opportunity for the rest of the backfield. Knight has been going basically undrafted by best ball ADP this offseason and sits well down our RB rankings. We'll see whether a big adjustment needs to happen.

Jets RB Breece Hall will begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Following an October ACL tear, the team will surely take it slow with Hall. Michael Carter figures to open camp with the starters.

Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic suggested in a recent report that he expects RB Michael Carter to be RB2 on the Jets' depth chart to open the 2023 season. Rosenblatt also noted that the possibility of free agent RB Dalvin Cook signing with the team "looms large" in the room, though Carter is "the most experienced, popular in the locker room and is generally a quality pass-catcher." It'll be fascinating to see how long he can hold onto this job assuming Rosenblatt is correct. Last season was not great for Carter. He opened the first six full games averaging 11.8 touches per game spelling fellow RB Breece Hall. Though after Hall tore his ACL in Week 7 vs. the Broncos, Carter's involvement dipped to just 7.6 touches per game. He was essentially phased out of a dysfunctional offense late in the year, eventually falling behind 2022 UDFA Zonovan Knight. Among 45 RBs with 100+ carries, Carter ranked 43rd in Pro Football Focus rushing grade, 45th in yards per carry, and 36th in yards after contact per attempt. On top of that, he only finished as a top-24 RB in PPR scoring in four games. Perhaps fantasy managers would be best to avoid Carter and bet on rookie Israel Abanikanda, a player who Rosenblatt predicts will inherit the #2 job as the season unfolds, instead. See where each of these backs appear in our current RB rankings.

The Jets selected Pittsburgh RB Isreal Abanikanda in Round 5 of the 2023 NFL Draft. At 20 years old, Abanikanda is one of the youngest prospects in this draft class, with much room to grow. It took a while for him to get going, but he led the ACC in carries (239) and rushing yards (1,431) as a junior in 2022, in addition to an NCAA-leading 21 total TDs. While his vision near the line of scrimmage is lacking at times, Abanikanda is a true home-run hitter at his best, as evidenced by his 61 runs of 10+ yards over his last 2 college seasons at Pitt. With the suitable scheme fit and patience, we may look back on Abanikanda as one of the draft's biggest steals. This, of course, is not a great landing spot for his immediate fantasy value. Abanikanda will compete with RBs Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight for the right to back up feature back Breece Hall.

According to multiple reports, the Jets and OC Mike LaFleur are mutually parting ways. LaFleur jumped from the 49ers staff to the Jets when Robert Saleh took over as HC 2 seasons ago. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that other teams have inquired about LaFleur, so it sounds like this is more "parting" than firing. We'll see where LaFleur lands next and what he has to work with. It's tough to judge much from his 1st try at OC, with poor QB play limiting everything. We'll also see who the Jets pull in next ... and who starts at QB in 2023.

Jets RB Michael Carter was the closest thing to an offensive bright spot on a night that saw the team total just 227 yards and pull its 1st-round QB for the 2nd time this season. Carter led the team with 5 catches and 44 yards, though he added just 6 rushing yards on 2 carries. RB Zonovan Knight rushed 6 times for minus-2 and caught his lone target for 15 yards. RB Ty Johnson worked in for 7 yards on 2 carries. WR Garrett Wilson led the team with 9 targets but managed just 4 catches for 30 yards. Practice-squad QB Chris Streveler entered in the 2nd half and wound up leading the team in rushing (54 yards). We'll see who's piloting this offense for a Week 17 trip to Seattle. That matchup is currently battling Houston for friendliest in the league to RB scoring, according to our adjusted fantasy points allowed.

Jets HC Robert Saleh labeled RB Zonovan Knight questionable but "arrow up" for Thursday night's game vs. the Jaguars, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. Knight missed some time in yesterday's loss to the Lions with an ankle injury but eventually returned. We'll keep a close eye on his status over the next couple of days. If Knight can't play on Thursday, we'd likely see RB Michael Carter lead a committee alongside Ty Johnson and James Robinson.