PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Eagles’ season opener against the Dallas Cowboys had fireworks before the game even found its rhythm. Just six seconds into the contest, standout defensive tackle Jalen Carter was shockingly ejected after spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during an early altercation.
The incident unfolded in bizarre fashion. Following the opening kickoff, play was delayed as Eagles fullback Ben VanSumeren remained down on the turf with an injury. While players waited, Carter and Prescott exchanged words face-to-face. As tensions escalated, video appeared to show Prescott spitting in the general direction of the Eagles’ defense. Carter, taking offense, confronted the quarterback and responded by spitting directly on him.
Referees wasted no time — Carter was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and immediately disqualified. Fans at Lincoln Financial Field erupted in boos as the 24-year-old defensive tackle walked off the field, helmet tucked behind his back, visibly frustrated.
After the game, Carter admitted his mistake and apologized to both his teammates and Eagles fans.
“It was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won’t happen again,” Carter said. “I feel bad for my teammates and the fans out there. Not being able to start or finish the game — it messed me up. But we’ll get it better. I can make that promise.”
Prescott, meanwhile, called the situation a misunderstanding. He explained that he frequently spits during games to avoid swallowing dirt or saliva and insisted he wasn’t aiming at Carter.
“I wouldn’t spit on somebody,” Prescott clarified. “I was stepping through and spit ahead, but he thought it was directed at him. Next thing I know, he spit on me. It was more of a surprise than anything.”
The ejection proved costly. The Eagles gave up 15 yards on the penalty, and Dallas capitalized immediately with a six-play drive capped by a short touchdown run from Javonte Williams. Head coach Nick Sirianni expressed disappointment afterward, saying Carter’s absence hurt the defense early.
“[Carter] knows we needed him out there today, and he wasn’t,” Sirianni said. “We want our guys to play with energy and toughness, but it has to stay within the rules.”
Inside the locker room, Carter reportedly addressed his teammates at halftime with what left tackle Jordan Mailata described as a “remorseful” tone. Quarterback Jalen Hurts also spoke with him after the game, emphasizing accountability and discipline.
“As a team, it’s about taking our focus and discipline to another level,” Hurts noted.
Carter, who had 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in his breakout season last year, now faces possible discipline from the league. When asked about a suspension, he said he’ll deal with it if that call comes.
For now, the Eagles move on to a massive Week 2 showdown — a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs. Whether Carter will be available for that game remains to be seen.
