Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter was ejected from Thursday’s season opener before playing a snap.
Carter spit in the face of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during an injury timeout after the opening kickoff of Philadelphia’s 24-20 win at Lincoln Financial Field and was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct.
“You know it was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won’t happen again,” Carter told reporters after the game. “I feel bad for just my teammates and the fans out there. You know, I’m doing it for them. I’m doing it for my family also but the fans, they show the most love. You heard them out there and not being able to start the game to finish the game just f* me up, but it won’t happen again.”
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said he would keep any conversations with Carter and potential team punishment in house.
League discipline is likely to follow in the form of a fine or potentially a suspension.
“If I get that text or that call and have that conversation, we will handle it,” Carter said.
On the opening kickoff of the NFL Kickoff Game, the Cowboys received the ball and Eagles special teams player Ben VanSumeren was injured on the play.
While VanSumeren was being attended to and the Eagles defense and Cowboys offense had gathered on the field, replay showed Carter and Prescott nose to nose before Carter spit on the veteran quarterback. Replay shown later in the game showed Prescott spit on the field toward Carter’s direction initially and then smiled at Carter.
Carter drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty and was ejected.
The play set up an opening-drive touchdown march for the Cowboys and also saw the Eagles lose arguably their best defensive player. Though the Eagles prevailed, the Cowboys exploited Carter’s absence with two Javonte Williams rushing touchdowns and 119 rushing yards.
Carter, 23, was the ninth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft and is coming off his first Pro Bowl season.