On May 29, 2003, Carpenter signed with the San Francisco 49ers.[2] Carpenter made his first career start on December 28 when starting free safety Zack Bronson suffered a neck injury.[2] Throughout the 2004 season, Carpenter competed with Ronnie Heard and Keith Lewis for the final starting safety job with the 49ers.[2] But after suffering a knee injury, Carpenter lost out on the competition.[2] However, after Jimmy Williams and Shawntae Spencer went down with injuries, Carpenter was named one of two starting cornerbacks on November 21.[2] He remained the starter for the rest of the season before going down with a back injury in week 16.[2] In 2005, his third with the 49ers, Carpenter was named the starting free safety.[3] On August 20, 2005, the 49ers dealt with the loss of offensive guard Thomas Herrion, Carpenter was one of the only 49ers to speak right after the death saying:
It looked like a seizure, but he didn't move at all anymore. He was just laying there.
[4] After suffering from thigh and foot injuries during training camp, Carpenter was released on September 19.[2] Over his 2+1⁄2 seasons with the 49ers, Carpenter tallied 82 tackles and one interception.[5]
Two months after receiving a workout from the Carolina Panthers on October 25, 2005, Carpenter was signed by the St. Louis Rams on December 28, 2005.[2] In St. Louis, Carpenter received little playing time only appearing in 10 games and recording six tackles.[5]
Carpenter signed with the Calgary Stampeders on July 13, 2007.[6] He played his first game with Calgary, against Toronto on July 21. His first CFL tackle came on Kamau Peterson on August 8.[6] He had a career high six tackles, in three different games.[6] In the 2007 CFL West semifinal game, Carpenter intercepted quarterback Kerry Joseph for his first interception in the CFL.[6]
In 2008, Carpenter appeared in all eighteen games and made 12 starts at outside linebacker.[6] Carpenter had 35 tackles, with 17 coming on special teams.[6] His first career CFL sack, came against Toronto on September 30.[6] In the Grey Cup game against the Montreal Alouettes, Carpenter had four tackles.[6]
After the 2008 season, Carpenter became a free agent but was re-signed on April 20.[7]
Carpenter was released on May 14, 2010.[8]
On May 26, 2010, Carpenter signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He was later released by the team on June 17, 2010. Carpenter was re-signed on July 5, 2010, when it was believed that safety/linebacker Willie Pile would be out of action with a knuckle injury. However, when Pile was re-diagnosed as being medically cleared to play without missing any games, Carpenter was released the following day by the Argonauts.
