The tight end was promoted by the Vikings on Friday from the practice squad to the active roster. He will make his NFL debut against Cincinnati today at US Bank Stadium.
“I’ve been telling my family this week that’s all I wanted on my birthday is just to get my opportunity,” Carter said. “It’s been a heck of a week, and I know it’s going to be a great weekend. I’m excited.”
Carter is needed because starting tight end Kyle Rudolph is doubtful for the game with an ankle injury and third-string tight end Blake Bell was placed on injured reserve Friday because of a shoulder injury. Carter took Bell’s spot on the roster, and the Vikings replaced Carter on the practice squad with safety Jack Tocho, who had been released from the squad Tuesday.
Second-year man David Morgan will start against the Bengals with Carter as his backup. Morgan has five career starts, all this season, because of the Vikings opening in a two tight-end formation. This will be his first start as the primary tight end.
“I’m excited to go out there and give it my best,” Morgan said. “Every time you step on the field, there’s a lot of responsibility.”
Morgan suffered a concussion on the first play Dec. 3 at Atlanta and sat out Sunday’s 31-24 loss at Carolina. He said he finally was cleared Thursday in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
It will be a tall order replacing Rudolph, a Pro Bowl candidate who has 53 receptions, second on the team, for 506 yards. He was hurt against the Panthers, and missed the final five plays of the game.
Bell also was injured at Carolina but didn’t come out of the game. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Bell “eventually” will need surgery but didn’t know how he got hurt or have the exact description of his injury.
“His shoulder is way up here,” said Zimmer, pointing to several inches above his shoulder.
With Rudolph and Bell missing practice during the week, that left Morgan and Carter as the only tight ends available. Morgan said linebacker Kentrell Brothers played some tight end on the scout team.
The Vikings will enter Sunday’s game with two tight ends who have combined for just six career catches, all by Morgan. He had one last year as a rookie and has five receptions this season for 34 yards and a touchdown.
“Obviously, Kyle is an incredible threat across the field, not only in the red zone, but just anywhere on the field, but I’m going to do my best,” Morgan said.
Carter was undrafted in 2016 out of Penn State and spent last year on Minnesota’s practice squad. He had four catches for 39 yards in the preseason this year before being waived and placed again on the practice squad.
“I’m 100% confident,” said Carter, who signed a standard three-year nonguaranteed rookie contract that will pay him a pro-rated $465,000 this season and have him on the books for $555,000 in 2018 and $645,000 in 2019. “Whatever plays are called, you got to be ready to get the ball. Whenever the ball is thrown to me, I expect to make a play.”
Carter, a New Castle, Delaware, native, said his mother, Charlene Carter, and father-in-law, Gary Botts, already had made plans to attend Sunday’s game and celebrate his birthday. Carter being on the active roster will add even more to the party.