Rookie running back Nathan Carter made an impact for the Atlanta Falcons in Friday’s preseason matchup against the Tennessee Titans. After trailing 13-3 at halftime and struggling to move the ball on the ground, Carter scored on a 43-yard run early in the third quarter, helping energize the offense.
“We’re very fired up to have him,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. “He runs really tough. He’s a hard tackle; there’s no double about that.”
Carter’s touchdown marked the start of three straight scoring drives for Atlanta, including a field goal from kicker Younghoe Koo and a 52-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Easton Stick to wide receiver Chris Blair. The Falcons managed to tie the game twice during the third quarter but ultimately lost 23-20 after Tennessee scored in the fourth quarter.
Carter led all rushers with 63 yards on nine carries, averaging seven yards per attempt. “For me to be able to be in this position here with the Falcons is a huge blessing,” Carter said. “If you would have told me two years ago that I would be here, I probably wouldn’t believe you.”
Carter joined Atlanta as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State University earlier this year and debuted last week against Detroit. That game was suspended after Carter collided with Lions cornerback Morice Norris, who was taken off the field and transported to Grady Memorial Hospital. Both teams paused play and prayed at midfield before coaches agreed to end regulation early.
“It was tough,” Carter said about the incident. “You never want that to happen.” He later reached out to Norris via Instagram, which helped him return confidently for Friday’s game against Tennessee.
“I really feel at peace,” Carter said. “I think the biggest thing with that is the fact that he was all right and that he was doing good.
“Also, just being able to understand that it was a football play and that at the end of the day, my performance relies not on me trying to perform for other but me doing it for the Lord. So, I was really honing in on my faith and helping that be my peace today. I’m just grateful God was able to be glorified through my performance and I was able to do what I was able to do.”
The Falcons finished with 115 rushing yards against Tennessee—82 of those coming in the second half largely due to Carter’s efforts.
Atlanta has one preseason game remaining next Friday against Dallas before NFL teams must reduce their rosters by August 26. With Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier set as starters and Carlos Washington Jr. sidelined by injury, several players are competing for a backup role.
“He’s one of those young players that’s just fighting for a spot on this roster,” Morris said of Carter. “He shows up every single week and shows why he should be on it.”
