Lorenzo Carter: Ready to Face His Former Team with No Injury Worries
Lorenzo Carter, the Atlanta Falcons linebacker, is gearing up for an exciting game against his former team, the New York Giants, in what promises to be an emotional matchup for the 6-foot-5, 250-pound linebacker. Carter, a Georgia native, spent the first four years of his career with the Giants before joining the Falcons in 2022. After overcoming a series of injuries in the past few seasons, Carter is now fully healthy and feeling stronger than ever. He’s ready to take the field against the team he once called home with one goal: to continue his journey to greatness.
A History with the Giants
Carter’s journey in the NFL started with the Giants when they selected him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Coming out of the University of Georgia, where he had established himself as one of the top defenders in the SEC, Carter was expected to have an immediate impact. Over the course of his first four seasons, he showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in his pass-rushing ability and his ability to play in coverage. Carter’s versatility as an edge rusher and linebacker made him a valuable asset to the Giants’ defense, even as the team underwent various phases of rebuilding.
However, the early years of his career weren’t without challenges. Carter experienced some injuries that limited his ability to consistently play at a high level. In his rookie season, Carter managed to play all 16 games but only registered four sacks, a somewhat modest total for a player with his raw athleticism. Injuries continued to plague Carter’s career in the following seasons. In 2021, after coming off a promising 2020 season in which he had started all 16 games and posted 55 total tackles, Carter tore his Achilles tendon, a devastating injury for any athlete.
Despite the setback, Carter worked hard during his rehabilitation process, and by the time the 2022 season arrived, he was healthy and ready to contribute again. However, the Giants decided to move in a different direction, and Carter became a free agent. That’s when the Atlanta Falcons stepped in.
A Fresh Start with the Falcons
Joining the Falcons in 2022 gave Carter a fresh start. The team was undergoing its own rebuilding phase, with new coaching staff and a young, promising roster. Atlanta was looking for someone who could bring veteran leadership and consistency to the linebacker corps, and Carter fit the bill perfectly. He brought with him the knowledge of playing in a fast-paced, high-pressure NFL environment, but also a hunger to prove himself as a key piece of a new team.
From the moment Carter arrived in Atlanta, it was clear that his injury struggles were behind him. He immediately impressed the coaching staff with his work ethic, leadership, and ability to make plays on the field. In 2022, Carter played in 15 games, starting 12 of them, and racked up 5.5 sacks, 53 total tackles, and two forced fumbles. These numbers showed that he was capable of making an impact on both ends of the field, whether it was getting to the quarterback or making stops in the run game.
What stood out even more in his first year with Atlanta was his ability to stay healthy and avoid injury. After battling through several tough seasons in New York, it was a breath of fresh air for both Carter and his new team. His resilience paid off in the 2022 campaign, as he was a consistent presence in the Falcons’ defensive lineup, making plays and providing leadership to a young, growing defense.
The 2024 Season: Health, Confidence, and Leadership
Heading into the 2024 season, Carter finds himself in an even better position. His body is fully healed, and he’s ready to take his game to the next level. With a full offseason of training under his belt, Carter is stronger, faster, and more confident than ever before. He’s spent the offseason refining his skills, especially his pass-rush technique, and studying his opponents to be better prepared for each game. The linebacker is also focusing on his leadership abilities, mentoring the younger players on the team and helping to instill a sense of toughness and pride in the Falcons’ defense.
Carter’s experience with the Giants only adds to his motivation heading into this game. Having been drafted by the team and spending his first four seasons in New York, the Giants hold a special place in Carter’s heart. But now, as he prepares to face them as a member of the Falcons, there is a palpable sense of pride in proving that he is more than just a former Giant. He’s determined to show that he is still a force to be reckoned with in the NFL, regardless of the uniform he’s wearing.
“The Giants were my first home in the NFL, and I have a lot of respect for the organization and the people I played with there,” Carter said in an interview ahead of the game. “But now, I’m with the Falcons, and this is where I belong. I’m excited to go out there and play my best for this team, for this city. This game means a lot to me, but it’s also about doing what I’ve always done: playing hard and playing smart.”
Carter’s Role in the Falcons’ Defense
Carter’s health and his ability to stay on the field are huge for the Falcons, as they rely on his experience and leadership to stabilize a defense that is still evolving. In the 2024 season, Carter will play an even larger role in the defensive scheme. His ability to rush the passer, cover in space, and stop the run makes him an invaluable asset in defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s system.
One of the biggest strengths Carter brings to the Falcons is his ability to set the edge in the running game. His physicality and size allow him to contain running backs trying to bounce runs outside, and his awareness makes him a threat in pass coverage, especially on third downs. Carter’s versatility allows him to move between linebacker and edge rusher, depending on the situation, and he can be a nightmare for quarterbacks when lining up as a rusher.
In 2024, the Falcons will be counting on Carter to lead a defensive front that has a number of young players but lacks a true veteran presence. His ability to help them improve, both in terms of performance and mentality, will be critical as Atlanta continues to try and compete for a playoff spot in a tough NFC South division.
The Giants Game: A Personal Challenge
As the Falcons prepare for their showdown with the Giants, Carter is looking forward to the personal challenge of facing his former team. Although the emotional attachment to the organization runs deep, Carter knows that the game is not about sentimentality—it’s about winning.
Carter has always been driven by his desire to be the best, and playing against the team that drafted him offers him an opportunity to prove that he is capable of achieving more than what his first team allowed him to do. The Giants’ offense, led by quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley, is no easy task, but Carter’s familiarity with the roster and his own skills as a linebacker gives him the confidence to make an impact.
“This game is personal in some ways, but it’s also just another game on the schedule,” Carter said. “I’m focused on what I can control—getting to the quarterback, stopping the run, and helping my teammates win. At the end of the day, it’s about doing what I do best, and I’m excited to get out there and show what I’m made of.”
Conclusion: A Strong Future Ahead
Lorenzo Carter’s journey from a promising rookie with the Giants to a key player for the Falcons has been filled with highs and lows, but the 2024 season marks a new chapter in his career. Now fully healthy and ready to face the Giants once again, Carter is determined to prove that he has what it takes to be one of the premier linebackers in the NFL.
For the Falcons, having a player like Carter, who is injury-free and playing with a chip on his shoulder, is a huge advantage as they make their push for the playoffs. With his leadership, versatility, and dedication, Carter is set to be a major force in the Falcons’ defense for years to come. As he faces the Giants, he will undoubtedly be eager to show his former team and the rest of the league that the best of Lorenzo Carter is still yet to come.
