DeAndre Carter Bio
DeAndre Carter (born April 10, 1993) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Sacramento State Hornets before signing with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2015. Across his professional career, Carter has been a member of eleven NFL rosters, building a reputation as a reliable special teams contributor and depth receiver.
Early Life and Background
DeAndre Carter was born on April 10, 1993, in San Jose, California. He grew up in the surrounding Bay Area and attended Washington High School in nearby Fremont, California, where he first developed his skills as a football player. His early years were marked by both athletic promise and personal hardship, experiences that helped shape the resilience that would later define his professional journey.
Tragedy struck the Carter family in 2013, when DeAndre’s younger brother, Kaylan, died after going into cardiac arrest during a weight training session with his high school football team. The loss left a lasting impact on DeAndre Carter, who has since spoken about carrying his brother’s memory throughout his career. Despite the grief, he continued pursuing football at a higher level, channeling his energy into his craft.
Path to American Football
After high school, DeAndre Carter attended California State University, Sacramento, where he played wide receiver for the Sacramento State Hornets from 2011 to 2014. During his college career, he emerged as one of the top playmakers in the Big Sky Conference, earning first-team All-Big Sky honors in both 2013 and 2014. His senior season was particularly impressive, as he was named a first-team Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-American in 2014 after recording 99 receptions for 1,321 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Although his college production suggested he could be a draft pick, DeAndre Carter went unselected in the 2015 NFL Draft. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent, beginning a long professional path that would take him across numerous organizations. His route from Sacramento State to the NFL demonstrated his persistence and the value of consistent production at the FCS level.
DeAndre Carter Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
DeAndre Carter signed with the Baltimore Ravens on May 3, 2015, and had a productive training camp. He appeared to be in the mix for a roster spot, but after failing to secure the return job during the first three weeks of the preseason, he was released on August 31, 2015. The Oakland Raiders signed him to their practice squad on September 16, 2015, but released him on December 1, 2015.
Shortly afterward, the New England Patriots signed DeAndre Carter to their practice squad on December 15, 2015. He was released and re-signed within days in January 2016 before signing a futures contract with the team. However, Carter was released as part of final roster cuts on September 3, 2016, ending his first year-and-a-half in the league without an active regular-season appearance.
San Francisco 49ers Breakthrough (2017–2018)
On February 24, 2017, DeAndre Carter signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, giving him his first real opportunity for stability. He was waived on September 2, 2017, and signed to the practice squad the next day, where he spent most of the season. Carter signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers on January 2, 2018, and remained with the team before being waived on May 15, 2018.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2018)
DeAndre Carter signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on July 28, 2018, and made the team’s final roster. In the 2018 season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, he recorded a 10-yard reception, the first catch of his NFL career, in an 18–12 victory. With regular returner Darren Sproles sidelined by injury, Carter took over kick and punt return duties. He was waived on September 18, 2018, re-signed to the practice squad, and promoted back to the active roster on September 29, 2018, before being waived again on November 6, 2018.
Houston Texans Era (2018–2020)
On November 7, 2018, DeAndre Carter was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans, where he carved out a meaningful role. He was re-signed to a one-year contract on March 11, 2020, and remained a regular contributor on offense and special teams. Carter was waived by the Texans on November 17, 2020, ending a multi-year stint that included his longest period of team stability since entering the league.
Chicago Bears and Washington Football Team (2020–2021)
DeAndre Carter was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears on November 18, 2020, and later spent time on the reserve/COVID-19 list before being activated. He then signed with the Washington Football Team on April 1, 2021, where he delivered one of the most memorable moments of his career. In Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons, Carter returned a kickoff 101 yards for his first career touchdown and was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. He also recorded his first career receiving touchdown in a Week 8 game against the Denver Broncos.
Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders (2022–2023)
DeAndre Carter signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers on April 8, 2022. In Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders, he totaled 64 yards and a touchdown on three receptions in a 24–19 victory, quickly establishing himself as a trusted target. He later signed with the Raiders on March 30, 2023, continuing his pattern of moving between teams while delivering consistent special teams play.
Cleveland Browns Era (2025–Present)
On March 19, 2025, DeAndre Carter signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Cleveland Browns, joining his twelfth professional organization. He continued his role as a return specialist and rotational wide receiver early in the 2025 season. On September 29, 2025, Carter was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury suffered in the team’s Week 4 game against the Detroit Lions.
Driving Style and Strengths
DeAndre Carter has built his NFL career on quickness, dependable hands, and special teams reliability. Listed at 5 feet 8 inches and 190 pounds, he relies on his speed, route precision, and field vision rather than physical size. His experience returning kicks and punts across multiple organizations has made him a trusted situational weapon, and his veteran poise allows him to contribute in complementary offensive roles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Carter’s 101-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with the Washington Football Team in 2021 stands as one of the signature plays of his career, earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. His first NFL reception came in the 2018 season opener with the Philadelphia Eagles, and he has since accumulated 117 career receptions for 1,331 receiving yards, 99 rushing yards, 4,907 return yards, and 7 total touchdowns through the 2025 season.
DeAndre Carter Career Wins
DeAndre Carter has not built his professional identity around championship hardware, but his journey itself represents a quiet kind of victory. After going undrafted in 2015, he has remained in the league for a full decade, surviving cut days, practice squad stints, and constant movement between organizations. His persistence through eleven different NFL rosters has earned him respect as one of the league’s most resilient journeyman players.
Career Highlights
At the college level, DeAndre Carter earned first-team FCS All-American honors in 2014 and was a two-time first-team All-Big Sky selection in 2013 and 2014, cementing his legacy at Sacramento State. In the NFL, his most celebrated individual performance was the 101-yard kickoff return touchdown for the Washington Football Team in 2021, an effort that earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week recognition.
Other Wins and Performances
DeAndre Carter opened his Los Angeles Chargers tenure in 2022 with a three-reception, 64-yard performance that included a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1. He has additionally delivered multiple strong special teams showings with the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears, contributing consistently as a punt and kick returner across more than a decade of professional football.
DeAndre Carter Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
DeAndre Carter does not come from a professional football family, but his athletic roots trace back to his high school years in Fremont, California. His younger brother, Kaylan Carter, was a fellow football player whose tragic death in 2013 during a high school weight training session became a defining moment in DeAndre’s life. The memory of his brother has continued to motivate him throughout his professional career.
Personal Life
At Sacramento State, DeAndre Carter majored in communication studies, showing an interest in academics alongside his football commitments. In 2016, he served as a substitute teacher at Martin Luther King Middle School, a role that reflected his commitment to education and community involvement. Carter’s long career and personal challenges have shaped his grounded outlook on life beyond the football field.
2025 Season Performance
DeAndre Carter entered the 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns after signing a one-year, $800,000 contract on March 19, 2025. He was expected to contribute as a return specialist and depth receiver, drawing on his decade of NFL experience. The early portion of the season offered him an opportunity to mentor younger players in the locker room while continuing his dependable special teams role.
His 2025 campaign was interrupted on September 29, when Carter was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury suffered in the team’s Week 4 game against the Detroit Lions. The injury paused what had been a productive start and forced the Browns to adjust their return game plans. Carter’s absence left a noticeable gap on special teams, where his veteran instincts had been a steady presence.
Looking ahead, the Browns and Carter will evaluate his recovery timeline as the season progresses. With his contract set to run through 2026, his long-term outlook in Cleveland will depend on his return to health and his ability to reclaim his role in the return game. Regardless of the outcome, his 2025 season added another chapter to one of the NFL’s most enduring journeyman careers.