Carter is a seven-year NFL veteran, spending most of his time as a return man. His best season as a wide receiver came in 2022, when he tallied 46 receptions for 538 yards and three touchdowns with the Chargers. Playing for the Bears last season, Carter caught nine passes for 72 yards and added 15 kick returns for 479 yards with 17 punt returns for 158 yards. The Browns add him as wide receiver depth and likely their top returner on special teams.

Carter is the only Bears player to field a kick return since Week 7. His sidelining could push fill-in No. 2 RB Travis Homer into kick-returning duties, which in turn increases D’Andre Swift’s touch-count potential against the 49ers. No. 2 RB Roschon Johnson (concussion) is out.

Carter drew the start in place of veteran Keenan Allen and started off hot, catching two targets on the team’s first drive. The offense would then struggle to move the football for the majority of the game beyond that, with the only touchdown coming on a two-yard plunge from backup running back Khalil Herbert. Carter’s time in the starting lineup likely won’t last much longer with Allen not expected to miss much time, although is is capable of playing all three starting wide receiver positions on the field so he could find himself back in the starting lineup should another injury occur ahead of him. At least for now, Carter can remain on waiver wires.

Carter spent last season with the Raiders, appearing in all 17 games while catching four passes for 39 scoreless yards. For much of his six-year career, Carter’s primary contributions have been in the return game. He returned 35 kicks and punts for 494 yards and could flourish as a kick returner under the league’s new return rules. He’ll likely have to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster but should have a good shot at handling primary kick return duties this season.