Caldwell 'Not Expecting Any Miracles' With Recently Healthy Rookie Alex Carter
By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby
The Lions practiced in a colder-than-usual facility Friday to prepare for Lambeau Field this weekend, but rookie cornerback Alex Carter was cold for a different reason. He just recently returned to the practice field after starting out the season on the injured reserve/designated to return list, and is still finding his footing.
"He looks okay, but he looks like a guy that hasn't had a chance to practice in a long time," head coach Jim Caldwell said. "So he's kind of feeling his way a little bit and learning. I think he understands what to do because he's been in meetings and listening and studying, all that kind of stuff."
Carter was drafted in the third round of the NFL draft this year out of Stanford. But he never fully got used to the NFL, after he suffered an ankle injury early in training camp, and was sent to the designated to return list soon after. He has not played in a game yet.
Once Carter began practicing on Monday, a 21-day window opened, at the end of which the Lions can either activate the corner, or send him to season-ending injured reserve.
"It's like a concert pianist that has an immense skill that hasn't played in a while," Caldwell said. "He has the skill level, he just – he's got to get out there and do it and he's been working at it and it's only been three days. So we'll see, but he's making progress. He's a good talent."
During his junior season at Stanford – his last year as a college player – Carter had 41 tackles, 10 passes defended, an interception and a forced fumble.
Carter could eventually move around the field and explore different possibilities in terms of positioning or location, but Caldwell said all of that is up in the air for now. The focus is still getting Carter used to playing the game again.
"Some guys can handle dual roles and different locations, some guys can't," he said. "We're just trying to figure out – right now we're learning what he can do. Now, you know we know what he can do from a physical standpoint watching through the evaluation process, but it's a little bit different out on the field. So now, we're trying to get a feel for that right now. He's only been out there since Monday, so we're not expecting any miracles."
