Michael Carter seemed poised for his first 100-yard rushing performance of his young career. The impressive rookie already had 63 yards on the ground and the third quarter had just begun on Nov. 21 against the Dolphins.
But then he went down on a 2-yard run. His afternoon was over, a sprained ankle sending him to the sideline. Nearly a month later he’s back, and the fourth-round pick out of North Carolina said he believes there were some positives to his absence.
“It was hard, because I love football. But I learned a lot. I hope to implement that this weekend,” Carter said Friday. “It was really cool to not only watch my guys play, but watching different people play in the same scheme — the same exact offense — and just seeing how they had success and how I can be better as a runner and out of the backfield.”
Carter, a powerful back who has proven adept at picking up yards after contact, was placed on short-term injured reserve and missed three games, interrupting his strong start. One of the bright spots in the Jets’ dismal 3-10 season, he made sure to use his time wisely. He did extra studying and paid close attention to other running backs. He was particularly focused on All-Pro running back Alvin Kamara in the Saints’ visit to MetLife Stadium last Sunday.
Michael Carter is back from injury after missing the Jets’ last three games. Bill Kostroun/New York Post“A lot of people give me credit for breaking tackles in the open field; I shake defenders off. Alvin looks like he doesn’t even feel them,” Carter said. “It was really cool to see how he runs and see how he can be savvy and just get open.”
Coach Robert Saleh raved about the year Carter was having before his injury, how he steadily improved after a slow start, developing to the point where the coaching staff had no choice but to get him the ball. Carter admitted the game was faster than he expected initially, and there were some nerves he had to get over. But he got over it after a few games. The team’s leading rusher and receiver out of the backfield, Carter had a breakout performance in an Oct. 31 win over the Bengals, producing 172 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. Two weeks later, he had 82 yards and a score, and ran for those 63 yards on nine carries against the Dolphins before suffering the sprained ankle.
“It’s exciting for him to get back,” Saleh said. “Obviously four games for him to finish his season strong and really grasp as much as he can and learn as much as he can from this rookie year, so he can propel himself next year to have an explosive season.”
Carter is only one member of the cavalry that is coming. He will be joined by fellow running back Tevin Coleman, tight end Tyler Kroft, defensive end Bryce Huff and rookie slot cornerback Michael Carter II. That’s four starters, all at important positions, back in the fold to help the Jets finish strong.
Michael Carter (32) and LaRoy Reynolds (49) at Jets practice Friday. Bill Kostroun/New York Post“It’s always significant,” Saleh said. “This league is about playmakers and when you get the ball into your hands, can you take it to the house and to get Michael Carter back and Tevin, and to get Kroft back as an option for the quarterback, along with the guys who have already been getting their reps and been getting better every week, it is beneficial for sure. Now we just got to go execute.”
It will be a welcome infusion of talent, particularly in the backfield. After rookie receiver Elijah Moore (out with a quad injury), Carter’s progress might be the best thing about this Jets season. And he’s just getting started.
“I feel like I have what it takes to be one of the best backs in the league,” Carter said. “I have to prove it.”
