North Carolina product and veteran change-of-pace running back who signed with the Titans in 2026.
Michael Carter is a shifty, versatile running back who has bounced through several rosters since entering the league. After time with the Jets and Cardinals, he signed with the Tennessee Titans as an unrestricted free agent in April 2026, per the Titans. He reunites in Tennessee with coach Robert Saleh, from his Jets days.
Path to the league
Carter played college football at North Carolina, where he formed a productive backfield tandem before turning pro. The New York Jets drafted him in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Carter spent his first three seasons with the Jets before being claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals in 2023. Across five NFL seasons and 61 games, he has logged 1,692 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns on 418 carries, per Wikipedia and Pro Football Reference.
2025 season
Carter spent the 2025 season as a depth back before reaching free agency. He signed with the Titans on April 1, 2026, joining Robert Saleh's staff in Tennessee as a veteran addition to the backfield.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Michael Carter (running back)
- ESPN: Michael Carter player page
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Rushing
13 games played▶Rushing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | cardinals | 13 | 92 | 333 | 3.6 | 1 | 22 |
| 2024 | cardinals | 3 | 35 | 131 | 3.7 | 1 | 13 |
| 2023 | jets | 9 | 8 | 38 | 4.8 | 0 | 9 |
| 2023 | cardinals | 6 | 22 | 149 | 6.8 | 0 | 21 |
| 2023 | 2023 Totals | 15 | 30 | 187 | 6.2 | 0 | 21 |
| 2022 | jets | 16 | 114 | 402 | 3.5 | 3 | 25 |
| 2021 | jets | 14 | 147 | 639 | 4.3 | 4 | 55 |
▶Receiving · career
| Year | Team | GP | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | cardinals | 13 | 33 | 267 | 8.1 | 0 | 18 |
| 2024 | cardinals | 3 | 11 | 57 | 5.2 | 0 | 18 |
| 2023 | jets | 9 | 15 | 68 | 4.5 | 0 | 10 |
| 2023 | cardinals | 6 | 9 | 33 | 3.7 | 1 | 8 |
| 2023 | 2023 Totals | 15 | 24 | 101 | 4.2 | 1 | 10 |
| 2022 | jets | 16 | 41 | 288 | 7.0 | 0 | 37 |
| 2021 | jets | 14 | 36 | 325 | 9.0 | 0 | 23 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Running Back
- Group
- offense
- College
- North Carolina
- Hometown
- Navarre, FL, USA
- Age
- 27
- Status
- active
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