And the full circle comes around on Michael Carter.

The veteran running back started the year on the practice squad, behind four guys on the depth chart -- James Conner, Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, and Bam Knight. The room has been a roller coaster. Four different players have started at the position (only Demercado has not of the five).

Now he's the guy, just like he was at the end of the season last year.

The cold-water-to-the-face stat of the week? If Carter rushes for 49 yards this week, he will be the team's leading rusher this season, despite his deep-down-the-depth-chart start. (Demercado is 21 yards ahead of Carter, although Carter out-snapped him 53-7 last weekend.)

Carter knows it's been a weird season. Earlier this year, he noted he'd do what he'd need to do to stay in the league. "I'm not really built for a desk job," he quipped then.

Now? "I think my perspective has changed," Carter said. "Every week, we all have roles to play. I just want to do my best to play my role. I've been having some pretty good games the last month, and I just want to put myself in the position where my mind is clear."

Carter ran for 56 yards on 14 carries last week against the best-in-the-NFL Texans defense, and added 38 yards on four receptions. He also provided some blocking that is usually Demercado's job (another reason the snap differential was wide.)

"His effort was through the roof not just when he had the ball, but when he didn't have the ball," coach Jonathan Gannon said. "A couple snaps come to my mind. Blocking guys way down away from the line of scrimmage, I thought was awesome. He loves to play football. Ever since he walked in the door when we got him from New York, he's had a smile on his face, wants to play football, loves to practice and prepares the right way. I know we can count on him."

In the past, Carter has acknowledged his frustration with his path. He's working hard not to do that anymore.

"Having more gratitude for the moment I am in is the difference," Carter said.