Cethan

Carter

He’ll miss the rest of the preseason and is questionable for Week 1. Miami signed Carter to a three year, $7.8 million contract this offseason to play the H-Back role in George Godsey and Eric Studesville’s offense. The Dolphins expect Carter to avoid the short-term IR list.

Miami also activated TEs Cethan Carter and Adam Shaheen from the COVID list, but starter Mike Gesicki remains out due to virus-related protocols. Williams is still recovering from foot surgery, and his PUP designation raises questions about when he’ll be ready for action. Even once he is healthy, he may struggle to earn playing time in a suddenly crowded Dolphins receiving corps.

It’s likely that all three make the list as close contacts of George Godsey, the team’s co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. Godsey tested positive for COVID-19 and was sent home a few hours before the three tight ends were placed on the list. Third-round rookie Hunter Long could be the next man up at tight end for now. The Boston College product led all FBS tight ends in targets (88) and receptions (57) last season. He’ll see plenty of reps for a few days in training camp but Gesicki will return to his starting job in short order.

The deal features $2.7 million guaranteed. Carter is an H-back who can serve as a core special teamer while contributing as a blocker on offense. 2020 will be his age-26 campaign. This will probably be the last you hear of him until the next time his contract comes up.

Primarily a blocking tight end, Carter slides in behind C.J. Uzomah in the Bengals’ post-Tyler Eifert world. He has three targets in three NFL seasons.

The team’s primary blocking tight end since joining the Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2017, Carter has totaled just three targets over three seasons inside the Jungle. Cincinnati also tendered G Alex Redmond.

Carter (6’3/241) made 35 starts for the Cornhuskers, finishing with a 59-744-4 (12.6 YPR) receiving line and never earning above honorable mention All-Big Ten. Billed as a high-end athlete at Nebraska, Carter underwhelmed with a 4.68 forty and especially sluggish 4.73 three-cone time at the Combine. Lacking both the size to make an impact as a blocker and the athleticism to stress defenses, Carter has the look of a low-ceiling H-back/special teams prospect.