In his first two games with the Eagles, Michael Carter II played a very minimal role on defense.

That changed on Sunday.

Down in Dallas, the Eagles suffered several injuries in their secondary and Carter was thrust into action.

“I felt good, man. I felt really prepared,” Carter said. “I feel like they prepared me. Being in the late-night meetings and the early-morning meetings with CP (defensive backs coach Christian Parker) and (safeties coach Joe) Kasper, trying to figure things out and asking questions and us working together and figuring out a plan as far as, ‘OK, this is what I’m comfortable with, this is what I’m still kind of thinking about and going through.’ I felt going in I was ready to play.”

After playing just two total defensive snaps in his first two games with the Eagles, Carter played 25 in the loss to the Cowboys. After Adoree’ Jackson left the game to be checked for a concussion, the Eagles slid Cooper DeJean to outside cornerback and Carter took over as the nickel corner.

The Eagles went with that option instead of just plugging in Kelee Ringo or Jakorian Bennett, which showed the trust Carter has been able to earn in just a few weeks.

“I think he’s a good player, good natural football player,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “(He) understands the game. He’s got good instincts, got good technique to his game, he’s quick. We’re pleased to have him.”

Back on Oct. 29, the Eagles acquired Carter and a 2027 seventh-round pick from the Jets for WR John Metchie III and a 2027 sixth-round pick ahead of the trade deadline.

Carter, 26, joined the Eagles on the bye week but began to immediately work overtime to learn Fangio’s defense and his multiple roles in it. That meant a bunch of extra meeting time with Parker and Kasper over the last several weeks.

“They were just conversations,” Carter said. “I think really looking at it on paper and understanding this is the assignment, this is the job. And then looking at it on film and watching guys like Coop do it and then going out there in practice and perfecting it and keep getting reps and reps and reps.

“And then coming back, rinse and repeat. And doing that process over and over again until you feel comfortable. It’s not as much of a thinking game trying to remember this is what I’m supposed to be doing in this certain spot.”

The Eagles ended up losing three defensive backs against the Cowboys on Sunday. Rookie safety Drew Mukuba suffered a fractured ankle and needs surgery, so the rest of his season is in question. But Reed Blankenship (thigh) and Jackson (who left the game to be checked for a concussion and did not return) are both expected to be available for Friday’s game.

That means that Carter might not be in the starting lineup against the Bears. But he better be ready. 

Because Carter is now one injury away at any position in the secondary from seeing the field.

In addition to his work as a nickel corner, Carter is also a capable safety. Not only has he been learning Fangio’s defense, but he’s been learning both positions in it. While that has put more on Carter’s plate, learning multiple positions has already given him a fuller understanding of the defense.

“I think for sure,” Carter said. “When you’re doing that and you get a sense of how the DB backfield operates as a whole, now you kind of understand who’s where and what help (you’re getting) and everything like that. Obviously, the repetitions and stuff like that takes time. But it’s been going.”

The Jets initially drafted Carter in the fifth-round of the 2021 draft out of Duke and he played in 65 games with 25 starts in his 4 1/2 seasons with the Jets before falling out of favor with a new coaching staff in 2025.

Last September, Carter signed an extension with the Jets that made him the highest-paid nickel corner in the NFL. So he’s not that far removed from playing at a really high level.

“He’s a vet. He’s a vet,” safety Sydney Brown said. “And just his versatility. They throw him into some situations and he just says ‘yes sir.’ He goes out, does what he needs to do. I think he’s a man-coverage demon and I think he’s a real asset to this defense.”

Carter spent four full seasons with the Jets, and in all four of those seasons the Jets had a losing record. Their two best finishes in that span were 7-10 in both 2022 and 2023.

This season, the Eagles have eight wins with six games to go. Sunday was the first time Carter experienced a losing locker room as a member of the Eagles but he liked the way the team responded.

“I think there’s no flinch,” he said. “Everything is still in front of us, everything we want to accomplish. It was good to see. Everybody is focused and is ready to respond in a positive way.”