Tim Carter (American football)

Timothy M. Carter (born September 21, 1979 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn.

Carter has also been a member of the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans and St. Louis Rams.

Early years
Carter attended Lakewood High School (St. Petersburg, Florida) and was a letterman in football and track.

College career
Carter attended Auburn University. He was a two-year starter that originally played defensive back at Auburn. Led the team in receiving last year, totaling 35 catches for 570 yard (16.3 average) and three touchdowns while also averaging 23.9 yards returning kicks. As a junior he registered 21 catches for 271 yards and one touchdown as a receiver the prior year with 19 returns for 243 yards and one touchdown returning kicks. Carter only caught a single pass as a sophomore after missing four games with a bad ankle. Carter ran track at Auburn spending time on the 4x100 meter relay team.

New York Giants
The New York Giants drafted Carter with the 14th pick in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft.

Tim Carter made his first reception, for 22 yards, of the 2006 season in the huge comeback against the Philadelphia Eagles in week two. During the game he also scored his first touchdown of the season, on a fumble return after Plaxico Burress fumbled and the ball rolled into the end zone. Carter was again in the end zone the following week, with 3 receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown versus the Seattle Seahawks. He was decent against the Washington Redskins, with 4 receptions for 44 yards. Carter ended the season with 22 receptions for 253 yards and 3 touchdowns, despite garnering only 8 starts.

Cleveland Browns
He was traded on March 9, 2007, to the Cleveland Browns for running back Reuben Droughns. He went on to appear in all 16 games for the Browns during the 2007 season, catching eight passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. He became a free agent following the season.

Houston Texans
On May 22, 2008, Carter was signed by the Houston Texans. He was later released on August 26, 2008, by Houston and sat out the rest of the season.

St. Louis Rams
In 2009 between May 1–3, Carter participated in a St. Louis Rams mini-camp on a tryout basis. On May 5, the Rams signed Carter to a one-year contract. He was released on September 5, 2009 and re-signed on October 12. He was waived on November 3.

Personal
Carter is the cousin of major league baseball players Gary Sheffield and Dwight Gooden, as well as fellow NFL players Darrin Nelson, Al Harris, Timothy Newsome, Ozzie Newsome and Carlos Carson. Tim's younger brother, Patrick Carter, was formerly a quarterback and wide receiver with Georgia Tech and the University of Louisville and currently is on the practice squad of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.