Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter stole the headlines before the first snap of Thursday night’s season opener–and not in a good way.
Before the first play, as players from the Eagles’ defense and Dallas Cowboys offense were waiting for an injured player to be helped off the field, Carter spit on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
Video appeared to show Prescott spitting on the ground near the Eagles before Carter confronted him, but the 2024 Pro Bowler took things too far in response, earning himself one of the quickest ejections you’ll ever see.
“One of the officials observed [Carter] spitting on an opponent,” referee Shawn Smith told a pool reporter. “It’s a disqualifiable foul in the game. It’s a non-football act.”
Damn, Jalen Carter spit on Dak Prescott #NFL pic.twitter.com/s2UyNg45mT
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) September 5, 2025
After the game, Carter owned up to his bad behavior.
“It was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won’t happen again,” Carter said following the Eagles’ 24-20 win.. “I feel bad for my teammates and the fans out there. I’m doing it for them. … Not being able to start the game even, finish the game, it f—-d me up, but we’re going to get it better. It won’t happen again. I can make that promise.”
It had better not happen again, but what still remains to be seen is whether or not the NFL will suspend Carter for this incident.
More punishment is forthcoming
It’s obvious that Carter will face additional ramifications for spitting on Prescott. You can’t spit on an opposing player, period.
Just how hard the league will come down on the former University of Georgia star is what everyone is trying to figure out.
Is it possible that Carter will have to sit out next week, and maybe beyond?
What the NFL must weigh
The NFL has cracked down on taunting in recent years, and Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio noted that the league emphasized “respect for the opponent” in its conversations with member organization this offseason.
There’s no way commissioner Roger Goodell and his constituents in the league office are happy with one of the biggest stars on the defending Super Bowl champions getting kicked out of the first game of the year essentially before it started. When you put all of this together, a suspension seems likely.
However, there are other factors to consider. As NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport both said Friday morning, Carter effectively was suspended for the season opener, since he never played a down.
“The NFL will review last night’s spitting incident for possible additional discipline — standard for acts that lead to disqualification,” Pelissero said. “Worth noting #Eagles DT Jalen Carter effectively served a one-game suspension by getting ejected before first snap.”
“Generally (but not always), players who are ejected don’t serve additional suspensions,” Rapoport added.
Eagles writer Jimmy Kempski also said there isn’t a precedent of the NFL suspending players for spitting on an opponent, though that doesn’t necessarily mean the league won’t come down harder this time.
When to expect a ruling?
The Eagles’ official game week for Week 2 will begin next Wednesday, so they would have to know Carter’s status by then.
We’d think that a decision from the NFL would be announced sometime this weekend, and by Monday at the latest.
