By Michael Bennett
A month ago DeAndre Carter was wondering what to make of his career.
He was released by the Niners on May 15, and when the Eagles called for a workout in late July the undrafted 5-8 receiver out of Sacramento State had been signed and cut six times in four years!
Vying for a roster spot, Carter made the most of his time last by snagging four receptions for 73 yards, more than doubling the yardage total of the Eagles’ next leading receiver.
“It’s a blessing,” Carter said after the game last night. “I’m just trying to take advantage of my opportunity, do what’s asked of me by my coaches, and make as many plays as I can.”
In addition to a late fourth-down catch that kept a drive alive, Carter had 29-yard and 16-yard passes from quarterback Nick Foles in the second quarter.
In the fourth quarter, he connected with Sudfeld on a 19-yard pass that brought the Eagles out from their own 10-yard line. Carter also received four punts for the Eagles including one he ran out for 29 yards.
“I think DeAndre’s played really well,” Foles said after the game. “He’s one of the guys that I thought played really well tonight. He’s played well throughout the preseason. For a guy who is newer to the team, I think he does a lot of great things. He’s got a wide range where he can catch from. He uses his hands well, runs really good routes, so I’ve been impressed with how he’s played.”
Carter was training in his San Jose, California home a month ago before he was signed by the Eagles on July 28. After being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2015 by the Baltimore Ravens, the Sacramento State product has spent time on the practice squads of Oakland, New England, and San Francisco. He has never been on an active roster.
With wide receivers Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Mack Hollins, and Bryce Treggs out for Thursday’s game due to injury, Carter wanted to make the most of his time in his pursuit to make the 53-man roster.
“It’s unfortunate we have a lot of guys out in the wide receiver room, I hope those guys get back quick, but for me, I just look at it as next-man-up mentality,” Carter said. “I’m the next man up on the depth chart, next up on the plays, and the offense has got to keep rolling. We’ve been struggling, and I’m just trying to do my part to keep up going.”
