Nathan Carter, the former Atlanta Falcons running back, is officially headed to the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad, making Tuesday a whirlwind of roster moves across the league. While Carter gets a fresh start with Andy Reid, you gotta wonder what in the heck the Falcons are actually doing with their running back room.
Carter Finds a New Home, Chiefs See Promise
This move for Carter isn’t a shocker after he didn’t return to the Falcons’ practice squad, even though Atlanta filled most of those spots with players from their 90-man training camp roster. Carter, an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State, initially signed with Atlanta right after the 2025 NFL Draft. He even made the team out of training camp last season, appearing in seven games. He rushed nine times for 60 yards for the Falcons in 2025 and played mostly on special teams.
The guy clearly has some tools. He’s a second-year back with kick-return ability, a skill that absolutely ups his chances of eventually making the Chiefs’ 53-man roster. Yeah, he had a few key blunders in the 2026 preseason that probably hurt his shot with the Falcons, but Andy Reid is known for unlocking potential. If anyone can make Carter a factor, it’s Reid in Kansas City.
Atlanta’s Head-Scratching Backfield Decisions
Here’s where things get really confusing for the Falcons. They decided to keep only two running backs on their 53-man roster. Two! And to make matters worse, they released veteran running back Tyler Goodson at the cut deadline. Seriously, what were they thinking? Goodson, a former Colt, more than earned the right to be the team’s third running back in training camp. The dude even outperformed Brian Robinson Jr. in the preseason and arguably should be in the mix for the number two spot behind Bijan Robinson.
And then there’s the even crazier part: Atlanta kept four quarterbacks on its initial 53-man roster. Four! That’s just beyond confusing, especially when you’re cutting a proven, productive running back like Goodson. It feels like a massive gamble on their part, and it leaves you wondering if they’re prepared for the grind of a full season.
What’s Next for the Falcons?
With nearly two weeks until their season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Falcons have made some seriously questionable calls with their roster construction. Will these confusing decisions come back to bite them early in the season? Keeping only two running backs and cutting a guy like Goodson, all while stashing four quarterbacks, is a risky bet. We’ll have to see how it plays out when they finally hit the field, but man, it’s hard not to scratch your head at this one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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