After being placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to begin training camp, Andre Carter II has found his way back onto the field.
On Saturday, the Minnesota Vikings posted on Twitter that Carter passed his physical and was cleared to return to practice.
OLB Andre Carter II has passed his physical and has retuned to practice.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 5, 2023
Despite going undrafted, Carter was a highly-sought after undrafted free agent. The Vikings eventually won the sweepstakes by giving him $340,000 guaranteed, one of the largest deals given to an undrafted rookie.
Carter attended Army West Point and shined as a junior, posting 15.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss in 2021. Carter battled some injuries during his senior season, playing in just ten games, but still posted seven tackles for loss.
Standing tall at 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 256 pounds, Carter lacks the frame of an NFL pass rusher, but his lack of experience means that with some time in an NFL weight room, he can turn it all around. Carter was one of the most athletically-gifted pass rushers in the draft, and many thought he could hear his name called during the later rounds of the draft.
Carter has some work to do to earn a 53-man roster spot, but his return to the practice field is an encouraging sign.
