I feel like if Rick actually came back, Carol would've said it the earliest she could in that conversation. Maybe she's being held hostage, or someone else way less important than Rick came back.
I heard a theory that the CRM has taken over and is monitoring communications. Carol could be refraining from saying anything that could give that away. When the radio cuts out, it’s the CRM interrupting her so that she can’t divulge any further information.
fun fact. it was only ever supposed to stop at season 2. but they kept going and now we have a clusterfuck of good and shit writing episodes that are either boring or filler episodes.
