Carter O’Donnell Bio
Carter O’Donnell is a Canadian professional football offensive tackle who currently plays for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing approximately 305 pounds, he has built a career across both the National Football League (NFL) and the CFL since turning professional in 2020. He previously spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and the Arizona Cardinals after beginning his career as an undrafted free agent south of the border.
Born in Calgary, Alberta, O’Donnell developed his game at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School before joining the University of Alberta, where he played for the Alberta Golden Bears in U Sports football. His combination of size, athleticism, and professional polish has allowed him to move between leagues while continuing to compete at a high level.
Early Life and Background
Carter O’Donnell was born on December 23, 1998, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He grew up in central Alberta and attended Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School in Red Deer, where he began his football journey. His physical development during his teenage years helped him transition into the demanding offensive tackle position, a role that requires both reach and leverage against opposing edge rushers.
Coming from a Canadian football community with strong roots in the amateur game, O’Donnell was exposed early to the nuances of the sport. He balanced his high school development with a growing awareness of the broader North American football landscape, including opportunities south of the border in the NFL.
Path to American Football
After high school, O’Donnell enrolled at the University of Alberta, where he played for the Alberta Golden Bears from 2016 to 2019. As a member of U Sports football, he developed against top amateur competition in Canada while continuing to refine the technical side of his tackle play. His senior season, in particular, drew attention from scouts across North America.
O’Donnell was ranked as the third best player in the CFL’s Amateur Scouting Bureau final rankings for the 2020 CFL Draft and was the top-ranked U Sports player in that class. He was one of only two U Sports football players invited to the 2020 East-West Shrine Bowl, a prestigious all-star showcase held in the United States. Although he was not selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts on April 29, 2020, officially beginning his professional career.
Carter O’Donnell Career
Early Career (2020-2021)
O’Donnell’s first professional season was spent bouncing between the active roster and the practice squad with the Indianapolis Colts. He was waived on September 5, 2020, and signed to the Colts’ practice squad the next day. On January 10, 2021, he signed a reserve and futures contract with Indianapolis, securing his place in the organization for the following offseason.
The 2021 season followed a similar pattern. O’Donnell was waived on August 31, 2021, and returned to the practice squad the following day. These early stints with the Colts allowed him to adjust to the speed and complexity of the NFL game while continuing to develop his technique as an offensive tackle.
Indianapolis Colts Breakthrough (2022-2023)
O’Donnell secured a reserve and futures contract on January 10, 2022, signaling continued belief from the Colts in his development. During the 2022 season, however, he was placed on injured reserve on August 2, 2022, slowing his progress on the active roster. Despite the setback, he remained part of the organization’s long-term plans.
On March 15, 2023, O’Donnell signed a contract extension with the Colts, marking a clear sign that the team viewed him as part of their offensive line depth. He continued to work within the Indianapolis system through the summer before being waived on August 30, 2023, ending his tenure with the franchise.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023-2024)
Just one day after being waived by Indianapolis, O’Donnell was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals on August 31, 2023. He appeared in five games for the Cardinals during the 2023 season, starting three of them, and gained valuable experience within a new offensive scheme. His time in Arizona showed that he could step into starting duties when called upon.
On July 23, 2024, O’Donnell was waived with an injury designation, bringing his NFL stint to a close. The transition opened the door for a return to Canadian football, where he had first entered the professional ranks.
Edmonton Elks Era (2025-Present)
On September 2, 2025, the Edmonton Elks announced that they had signed Carter O’Donnell. The move brought the veteran offensive tackle back to a Canadian roster and reunited him with the CFL. His signing added experienced depth to the Elks’ offensive line as the club continued its rebuild.
O’Donnell’s role with Edmonton is expected to focus on stabilizing the tackle position and providing veteran leadership along the offensive front. Coming off NFL experience, he represents one of the more seasoned players on the Elks’ roster heading into the latter stages of the 2025 campaign.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of O’Donnell’s career is his invitation to the 2020 East-West Shrine Bowl, which placed him among an elite group of U Sports players recognized on a North American stage. He also earned a contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts in March 2023, a clear sign of his value within the organization at that point in his career.
Carter O’Donnell Career Wins
Carter O’Donnell’s professional record is built on consistency, durability, and the ability to move between leagues. Across his stints with the Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, and Edmonton Elks, he has accumulated NFL regular-season appearances and starts, with five games played and three starts during his time with the Cardinals in 2023 serving as his most visible body of work in the league.
Carter O’Donnell Family
Personal Life
Carter O’Donnell was raised in Alberta and continues to maintain strong ties to the province. Born in Calgary, he later moved through Red Deer during his high school years before attending the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Public details about his family life and personal relationships remain limited.
2025 Season Performance
Carter O’Donnell joined the Edmonton Elks on September 2, 2025, giving him a late-season window to contribute to the team’s offensive line. His arrival came as the Elks continued to evaluate talent and adjust their roster ahead of the stretch run of the CFL schedule. The signing reflected Edmonton’s emphasis on adding experienced linemen with professional backgrounds.
With NFL regular-season experience on his resume, O’Donnell is expected to provide immediate depth and competition along the Elks’ offensive front. His familiarity with professional systems, built through years in Indianapolis and Arizona, should help him transition smoothly into the CFL style of play.
Looking ahead, O’Donnell’s role with the Elks offers him an opportunity to re-establish himself as a starting-caliber tackle in Canadian football. His performance in the closing months of the 2025 season will likely shape his long-term standing with the organization as the Elks plan for the following campaigns.