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. Carter has been a member of eleven NFL rosters during his career.
Known for his speed and reliability on special teams, Carter has built a long professional career by contributing as both a receiver and a returner. His path through the league has included practice squad stints, waiver claims, and short-term contracts, reflecting the journeyman route many undrafted players take to remain in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
DeAndre Carter was born on April 10, 1993, in San Jose, California. He grew up in the Bay Area and attended Washington High School, where he began playing competitive football and developed the speed and hands that later defined his professional profile.
At Sacramento State, Carter majored in communication studies while continuing to play wide receiver. His college career reached its peak in 2014, when he was named a first-team Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-American after recording 99 receptions for 1,321 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was also a two-time first-team All-Big Sky selection in 2013 and 2014.
Off the field, Carter worked as a substitute teacher at Martin Luther King Middle School in 2016, during one of his early NFL transitions. He has kept his personal and family life largely private, with limited public details about his relationships or residence.
Path to American Football
Carter’s college production at Sacramento State drew the attention of NFL scouts, even though he played at the FCS level. His ability to contribute as both a receiver and a return specialist made him an attractive undrafted prospect.
Following the 2015 NFL Draft, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens and earned a strong evaluation during training camp. Although he was released during the first wave of preseason roster cuts, his performance was enough to keep him on NFL radars, beginning a sequence of practice squad and active roster moves that would define his early career.
DeAndre Carter Career
Early Career (2015-2016)
Carter signed with the Baltimore Ravens on May 3, 2015, after going undrafted. He competed for a return role during the preseason but was released on August 31, 2015, after failing to win the job in the first three weeks.
He joined the Oakland Raiders’ practice squad on September 16, 2015, after the team traded wide receiver Brice Butler, before being released on December 1. On December 15, 2015, Carter was signed to the New England Patriots’ practice squad. He signed a futures contract with New England on January 26, 2016, but was released on September 3, 2016, as part of final roster cuts.
San Francisco 49ers (2017-2018)
Carter signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers on February 24, 2017. He was waived on September 2 and quickly added to the practice squad the next day. He signed a reserve/future contract with the team on January 2, 2018, before being waived again on May 15, 2018.
Philadelphia Eagles (2018)
On July 28, 2018, Carter signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and made the team’s final roster. In the 2018 season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, he recorded a 10-yard reception, his first career catch, during an 18-12 victory. He also took over kick and punt return duties while Darren Sproles was sidelined.
Carter was waived on September 18, 2018, after two games, then re-signed to the practice squad on September 20 and promoted back to the active roster on September 29. He was waived again on November 6, 2018.
Houston Texans (2018-2020)
On November 7, 2018, Carter was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans. He was re-signed to a one-year contract on March 11, 2020, before being waived on November 17, 2020.
Washington Football Team (2021)
Carter signed with the Washington Football Team on April 1, 2021. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons after returning a kickoff 101 yards for his first career touchdown. He also recorded his first career receiving touchdown in a Week 8 game against the Denver Broncos.
Los Angeles Chargers (2022)
Carter signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers on April 8, 2022. In the season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, he totaled 64 yards and a touchdown on three receptions in a 24-19 victory, one of his most productive single-game performances as a receiver.
Las Vegas Raiders (2023)
On March 30, 2023, Carter signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, continuing his role as a return specialist and depth receiver.
Chicago Bears Era (2020, 2024)
Carter was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears on November 18, 2020, during his Texans tenure. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on December 10 and activated on December 22. He later returned to Chicago on June 18, 2024, signing a one-year contract for a second stint with the team.
Cleveland Browns Era (2025-Present)
On March 19, 2025, Carter signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Cleveland Browns. On September 29, he was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury suffered in the team’s Week 4 game against the Detroit Lions.
Notable Events and Milestones
Carter’s 101-yard kickoff return against the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 stands as one of the signature moments of his career, earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. His first career reception came with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2018 season opener, while his first career receiving touchdown came during his time with Washington.
DeAndre Carter Career Wins
Carter’s professional resume is built more on durability, special teams production, and reliable depth receiving than on championship hardware. His verified career achievements include his first-team FCS All-American selection in 2014, two first-team All-Big Sky honors, and his NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award from 2021.
DeAndre Carter Family
Personal Life
Carter’s younger brother, Kaylan, died in 2013 after going into cardiac arrest during a weight training session with his high school football team. Carter has generally kept his personal and family life out of the public eye, with no widely verified details about a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Carter entered the 2025 NFL season with the Cleveland Browns on a one-year, $800,000 contract, expected to contribute as a return specialist and rotational receiver. His veteran experience across multiple special teams units was viewed as a key part of the Browns’ depth.
His season was interrupted on September 29, 2025, when he was placed on injured reserve following a knee injury sustained in the team’s Week 4 game against the Detroit Lions. The timeline for his return had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.
Looking ahead, Carter’s role with Cleveland will depend on his recovery from the knee injury and the Browns’ depth chart at receiver and returner. Given his history of rebounding from roster moves and practice squad stints, his 2025 outlook will hinge on health and opportunity in the second half of the season.