2023 Jets Country Player Profile: RB Michael Carter (32)

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New York Jets' running back Michael Carter suffered a sophomore slump of sorts in 2022. 

The 2021 fourth-round draft pick gained 964 yards from scrimmage in 14 games as a rookie. In Year 2, however, Carter watched his yards per carry average drop to 3.5 and totaled only 690 scrimmage yards over 16 appearances.

The decrease in production allowed for undrafted Zonovan Knight to work his way into the fold last fall and may have influenced team brass in the decision to draft running back Israel Abanikanda in April.

Even so, Carter will likely enter training camp as the No. 2 ball carrier, but his status is far from secure. 

"Running back wise, I’m expecting great things from Michael Carter," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh at the NFL League Meetings in late March. "I know he had a down year a year ago, but I think he’s got a chance to come back strong. That usually happens where year three is a trigger for those young guys."

The UNC Tar Heel flashed feature back potential in 2021, averaging 13.1 touches per game and making 11 starts. In two seasons, Carter has accumulated 1,041 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, carrying 261 times.

Michael Carter, Running Back

Number: 32
Current Status: Second String
How/When Acquired: Drafted / 2021 Round 4 (No. 107 overall) 
College: North Carolina
2022 Final Stats: 16 GP, 10 GS, 402 rush yards, 114 rushes, 3 TD, 3.5 ypc, 288 rec yards, 41 receptions

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Pinned Tweet

Michael Carter hits the waddle on his second TD 👀

📺: #MIAvsNYJ on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/5wEbhQ3nxf pic.twitter.com/CK19C7RhC2

— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2022

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