Cardinals Claim Running Back Off Waivers

The Arizona Cardinals welcome Michael Carter to the desert.

ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals have been awarded its waiver claim on running back Michael Carter from the New York Jets and has released offensive lineman Doug Kramer Jr, according to the team.

More info from the release:

"Carter (5-8, 201) played 39 games (21 starts) the past three seasons with the Jets after entering the league as a fourth-round selection (107th overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft out of North Carolina. He had 1,079 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 269 carries (4.0-yard avg.) to go along with 92 receptions for 681 yards with the Jets.

"In 2022, the 24-year old Carter played 16 games (10 starts) and had 402 rushing yards and three touchdowns after rushing for 639 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie in 2021 when he appeared in 14 games (11 starts). He had 36 receptions for 325 yards in 2021 and followed that up with 41 receptions for 288 yards last season. This year, Carter appeared in nine games and had 15 receptions for 68 yards and eight carries for 38 yards."

According to ESPN NFL insider Field Yates, the Buccaneers and Commanders also put a claim in on Carter.

The Cardinals - behind James Conner - have been in search of some valuable running back depth. Arizona initially hoped that was Marlon Mack before a season-ending injury in training camp derailed those hopes. 

Today, when asked what if he wants to see more from the running backs behind James Conner, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said:

“No. Just keep doing what they’re coached to do in production, making sure that we’re good in the run and the pass game and when their number is called to produce."

The Cardinals currently have Emari Demercado and Keaontay Ingram as the backups to Conner.

Arizona will be on the road in Houston for Week 11.