Arizona’s backfield situation remains unchanged heading into Week 14. Bam Knight and Michael Carter continue shouldering the workload with injuries keeping other options sidelined. Which Cardinals running back deserves fantasy football consideration against the Los Angeles Rams?
Bam Knight Fantasy Outlook
Knight continues leading the way as Arizona’s primary ball-carrier. Emari Demercado returned to practice this week but isn’t quite ready to return from his high ankle sprain. Trey Benson did not practice all week and it’s become abundantly clear he play again this season. That means Knight is poised to start for the rest of the season.
Knight continues being more productive than he has any right to be. He’s posted at least 13.2 fantasy points in three consecutive games, largely because he has scored in each of them. While fantasy managers can’t keep relying on him to find the end zone, he is both the lead back and the goal-line back.
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There is a touch floor managers can bank on, which gives Knight fantasy viability. He won’t win you weeks, but he won’t give you zero. Knight rushed 11 times for 62 yards against Tampa Bay. He also caught a 15-yard touchdown pass during a broken play late in the third quarter, recording the first receiving score of his career.​
Knight’s receiving involvement has grown significantly over recent weeks. He has 11 receptions over his last three games, which helps boost his floor considerably. He averaged a season-high 5.6 yards per carry against the Buccaneers while logging double-digit carries for the second straight game and fifth time in the last seven contests.​
Michael Carter Fantasy Outlook
Carter’s ceiling is much lower because he’s not going to score. However, he has been useful while Demercado has been sidelined. Carter has posted games of 7.8, 8.8, and 11.4 fantasy points over his past three outings.​ If you’re desperate enough that you need to start Carter, those are absolutely useful numbers.
Carter has taken over as the passing-down back, which has been a very fantasy-friendly role. He has seen 16 targets over his past three games, catching 13 passes for 99 receiving yards total.​
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The backfield remains split enough that Carter doesn’t receive much early-down work. His role exists mainly in obvious passing situations and when Arizona falls behind. Game script dictates his weekly floor, with negative game script creating the conditions where he sees elevated opportunity.
Carter operates as a PPR-dependent flex option whose value stems entirely from target volume. He lacks the rushing attempts or touchdown potential to post double-digit fantasy points without significant receiving production. His ceiling remains capped by his one-dimensional usage pattern.
Should You Start Knight or Carter This Week?
Los Angeles presents a challenging defensive matchup for Arizona’s running backs. The Rams allow the second-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to running backs.
With that said, it is worth noting that both Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard found success against this defense last week. The Panthers backs combined to produce solid rushing performances despite the Rams’ overall stinginess.
The Cardinals run a lot of plays when they are trailing. Even with the Rams likely to win this game easily, Arizona should have volume on their side in catch-up mode.
This could be a week where Carter is actually the better option. Negative game script favors his receiving-heavy skill set more than Knight’s between-the-tackles rushing role. The Rams’ pass-funnel tendencies create conditions where passing-down backs accumulate targets throughout garbage time.​
Neither back is exciting, but Knight is a solid RB3 and Carter is a Flex option. Knight maintains the higher floor due to his guaranteed touches and touchdown potential. Carter offers sneaky upside if Arizona falls behind early and abandons the run entirely, forcing Jacoby Brissett into 40-plus pass attempts.​
