With running back Bam Knight being the latest Arizona Cardinals running back to hit injured reserve this season, the team needs another starting running back in Week 16.
Knight landed on injured reserve this week due to an ankle injury, which will end his season. He is the third Cardinals running back to see a premature end to his campaign, with Trey Benson and James Conner both suffering the same fate.
Looking ahead to Week 16, the Cardinals have two options between Michael Carter and Emari Demercado.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed on Friday that Carter will get the nod as the team's starting running back on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
"No surprise but Gannon confirmed that Michael Carter will be the starting running back this week with Bam Knight out," AZCentral's Theo Mackie reported.
Carter saw 14 carries for 56 yards and caught four passes for 38 yards after Knight exited the Week 15 contest with his injury.
This isn't Carter's first rodeo closing out the season as the Cardinals' lead back, as he served in that role over the last two games of the 2024 campaign, also.
Michael Carter start or sit advice
Carter's solid performance in Week 15 ranked him as RB19 overall, which puts him on the flex radar this week. Over his two starts for the Cardinals at the end of last season, he ranked as RB8 overall.
Arizona draws a fairly favorable matchup against a Falcons defense ceding the 14th-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
We would definitely be comfortable starting Carter in the flex spot in Week 16.
Verdict: Start
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