In a surprise move, the New York Jets are releasing a former highly-touted running back.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Jets have released running back Michael Carter. The 24-year-old will now head to waivers, and Rapoport added that Dalvin Cook and rookie Izzy Abanikanda will likely see more playing time.
The North Carolina product was one of the top RB prospects entering the 2021 NFL Draft. Carter earned First team All-ACC and Third-team All-American honors in 2020 after rushing for 1,245 yards and nine touchdowns.
Carter was drafted in the fourth round (107th overall) by the Jets. He showed promise in his rookie year by rushing for 639 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 36 receptions for 325 receiving yards.
But Carter lost the starting job to promising rookie Breece Hall last year, and the former’s playing time reduced considerably. The Jets bolstered their RB room by signing four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook this summer, once again pushing Carter further down the depth chart.
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Carter saw just eight carries for 38 yards with the Jets in nine games. With Hall producing good numbers (521 yards, two touchdowns), Carter was never going to regain his spot as the No. 1 running back in New York.
There should be considerable interest in Carter, who showed flashes of being a capable RB1 just two seasons ago.
