Michael Carter has had a roller-coaster kind of year -- released at the end of the preseason and headed to the practice squad, eventually signed to the roster, released again, back to practice squad, and then signed to the roster again. But the Cardinals, with Emari Demercado out, leaned on Carter on Sunday against the Jaguars.
Carter played a season-high 47 snaps, the most of any running back. And while the Cardinals running game struggled, Carter did what he could in his handful of touches, rushing for 28 yards on just five carries and gaining 30 more yards on three catches. He ended up playing 10 more snaps than Bam Knight, who did score a touchdown but was held to 12 yards on 10 carries and then went down late in the game on a reception and didn't come back in. Knight has been dealing with an ankle issue.
Trey Benson remains on IR, in the middle of his practice window, and could be activated at any time, which would impact Carter's work. Demercado's ankle injury was reportedly of the high variety, so his immediate return seems unlikely.
The Cardinals actually played 84 offensive snaps as the game went into overtime, a season-most for the team. Tight end Trey McBride played 74 of those, setting a season-high. Wide receiver Greg Dortch, with six receptions and a touchdown, did the same (53).
Will Hernandez hurt his hip and was limited to 32 snaps, while Isaiah Adams played 52 snaps -- the most he has played since he started the first five games of the season.
Max Melton was a special team star on Sunday but he played little on defense, only 15 snaps and didn't start for the first time this season (when healthy). Kei'Trel Clark had 24 snaps. Cornerbacks Garrett Williams and Denzel Burke each played every one of the 62 snaps. (Jonathan Gannon said Monday afternoon Clark had earned more snaps and Melton, who also had a forearm injury checked out, needs to be more consistent to get back his lost playing time.)
A week after both Josh Sweat and Zaven Collins played their fewest snaps, both played their highest percentage of the year, Sweat at 68 percent and Collins at 63 percent. Collins had 39 snaps, his second-most of the season. Fellow outside linebacker BJ Ojulari had 22 snaps after playing 23 last week.
Walter Nolen III had just six snaps after hurting his knee scoring his touchdown. After three snaps and the TD, Nolen played just three more snaps, all in the second quarter, all on third downs, before the Cardinals shut him down.
