Following the injuries striking the Denver Broncos’ already thin linebacking corps, the team has asked safety Jamal Carter to move temporarily to linebacker.
While the possibility of one of the Broncos’ safeties moving to linebacker has been quite real throughout the offseason, everyone thought that would be Su’a Cravens given his actual NFL experience at linebacker.
The choice to move Carter instead of the more experienced Cravens could be, in part, due to Cravens’ newfound happiness and comfort at safety, as well as his strong showings in training camp and the preseason. Carter has also wanted to make the move to linebacker, so choosing him to make the temporary position change makes more sense.
“I’ve been wanting to play [linebacker] since high school and college,” he said on the move of positions. “I like being in the trenches. I’m a physical specimen. I don’t like being too deep away from contact. It’s going to fit me.”
Changing to linebacker could end up being a great fit for Carter. During his senior season at the University of Miami, Carter led the team in tackles (85) and had the third-most solo tackles (53) as a safety on the backend of the defense.
If the fit does end up working, the Broncos could opt to leave him at his new position. Something Vic Fangio alluded to on Sunday, “Right now, it’s temporary, but if he looks good in there, it will be permanent.”
Carter’s move to linebacker will certainly be one of the most interesting storylines to keep an eye on in Monday’s preseason game against the injury-battered 49ers.