"He's pulled up a bit tight," Blues coach Leon MacDonald said.
"It's nothing too major but we want to make sure we don't risk anything with Dan.
"With calves, if you get on top of them early, it can take a couple of days to come right, but if you're a little bit late it can be three to four weeks, so it makes sense just to look after him."
Carter's withdrawal means the full glare of the spotlight will be back on Beauden Barrett, who is returning to Wellington for the first time since his move from the Hurricanes to the Blues.