The Falcons' running back scored a long touchdown against the Titans and is competing for a potential roster spot.

Terrin Waack

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. Rookie running back Nathan Carter provided the spark the Atlanta Falcons' offense needed in Friday's preseason game against the Tennessee Titans.

The Falcons trailed, 13-3, at halftime with a desire to improve their ground attack. They managed just 33 rushing yards in the first half.

Well, within Atlanta's opening five plays of the third quarter, Carter broke through to the end zone. He scored on a 43-yard run right up the middle.

"We're very fired up to have him," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "He runs really tough. He's a hard tackle; there's no double about that."

Carter's touchdown was the first of three consecutive scoring drives for the Falcons. Kicker Younghoe Koo made his second field goal. Quarterback Easton Stick completed a 52-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Blair.

The Falcons tied the Titans twice in the third quarter, including its end, but Atlanta ultimately fell, 23-20, come final buzzer after a fourth-quarter touchdown from Tennessee.

Carter led both teams with 63 yards rushing on nine yards. That's good for a 7 yards-per-carry average.

"For me to be able to be in this position here with the Falcons is a huge blessing," Carter said. "If you would have told me two years ago that I would be here, I probably wouldn't believe you."

Carter signed with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State University earlier this year. He made his exhibition debut last Friday in the Falcons' preseason opener against the Detroit Lions. The game was suspended prematurely after a moment that involved Carter.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Carter ran the ball 8 yards and collided with Lions cornerback Morice Norris in the process. Both players went to the ground.

Carter got up. Norris did not.

"It was tough," Carter said. "You never want that to happen."

Norris was transferred onto a backboard, loaded into an ambulance and immediately taken to Grady Memorial Hospital via police escort.

Falcons and Lions alike took a knee and prayed at center field.

Both head coachesMorris and Dan Campbellthen agreed to run the clock out. There was 14:50 remaining.

With 6:16 left, the head referee announced the league office decided to suspend play.

Morris checked in with Carter.

"You've got to be there to console your guys when those (things) do happen, to make sure that he's OK," Morris said. "And he wants to make sure that the guy he hurt was also OK."

The Lionsshared an updatelater that night, that Norris was in stable condition and had feeling and movement in all his extremities.

Carter reached out to Norris on Instagram, and the two eventually talked. That conversation gave Atlanta's running back the strength and reassurance he needed to return to the playing field Friday night against the Titans without any hesitation.

"I really feel at peace," Carter said. "I think the biggest thing with that is the fact that he was all right and that he was doing good.

"Also, just being able to understand that it was a football play and that at the end of the day, my performance relies not on me trying to perform for other but me doing it for the Lord. So, I was really honing in on my faith and helping that be my peace today. I'm just grateful God was able to be glorified through my performance and I was able to do what I was able to do."

The Falcons totaled 115 rushing yards versus the Titans after gaining 82 yards in the second half, primarily powered by Carter's touchdown.

Atlanta has one more preseason game left next Friday against the Dallas Cowboys. The NFL's 53-man roster deadline is Aug. 26.

Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier are the Falcons' starting running backs. Carlos Washington Jr. is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, so there's an opening for a possible third back. Carter, Elijah Dotson and Jashaun Corbin are all eyeing it.

Carter knows the best he can do in the meantime is take advantage of every opportunity presented his way.

"He's one of those young players that's just fighting for a spot on this roster," Morris said. "He shows up every single week and shows why he should be on it."

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