Just when the Philadelphia Eagles thought things couldn’t get any worse, defensive tackle Jalen Carter entered the picture.
On Thursday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the star third-year defensive tackle underwent “a procedure this past Monday on both his shoulders” and will be inactive for Week 14’s “Monday Night Football” game against the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4).
“This could easily turn into a multi-week absence,” Schefter continued in a follow-up message, while later noting a move to injured reserve is off the table for the time being.
“Carter will be considered week to week,” the NFL insider wrote.
Jalen Carter’s injury threatens Philadelphia Eagles’ playoff pursuit
The Eagles (8-4) are first in the NFC East but reeling after losing two in a row. The offense has struggled, being held under 20 points in three of Philadelphia’s past four games following a Week 9 bye. During that span (since Nov. 6), the Eagles are No. 28 in scoring offense (15.5 points per game), ahead of the Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans — teams that are a combined 9-39 (.188).
The offense has been a shell of its Super Bowl LIX form, making Philadelphia overly reliant on the defense to lead the way. With Carter, perhaps the Eagles’ best player on that side of the ball, out for possibly an extended period of time, that becomes a lot more difficult.
Yahoo Fantasy posted stats produced by running backs Javonte Williams (Dallas Cowboys) and Cam Skattebo (New York Giants) in games Carter missed earlier this season, revealing Philadelphia could have problems stopping Chargers running back Omarion Hampton, who is expected back after missing seven games with an ankle injury, on Monday.
“He’s on track,” head coach Jim Harbaugh told NFL Network earlier this week.