Philadelphia Eagles star defensive tackle Jalen Carter owned up to his “mistake” after he was ejected from Thursday’s 24-20 season-opening victory over the visiting Cowboys after spitting on Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott.
Carter was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct after he spat at Prescott after the two exchanged words while there was a stoppage in play following the opening kickoff.
“You know it was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won’t happen again,” Carter said. “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 (expletive) me up, but it won’t happen again.”
Just before halftime, NBC reported that Carter could face additional discipline, possibly including a suspension.
While not specifically mentioning spitting, the NFL told teams this offseason that respect for opponents will be a bigger emphasis this season. NBC reported that Carter’s actions could fall under this emphasis.
“If I get that text or that call and have that conversation, we will handle it,” Carter said.
Prescott also found himself on the defensive after video replays showed the quarterback spitting in the direction of Carter prior to the incident.
“I was just looking at him and I was right here in between two linemen,” Prescott said. “I guess I needed to spit, and I wasn’t going to spit on my linemen, so I just spit ahead.
“He asked or goes, ‘Are you trying to spit on me?’ At that point, I felt like he was insulting me. I wouldn’t spit on somebody and I’m damn sure not trying to spit on you. We’re trying to play a game and I’m wondering why you’re trying to mess with the rookie (Tyler Booker). I step through and say the words, ‘Why the hell,’ excuse me probably even more colorful but ‘why would I spit on you for?’ He just spit on me in that moment, and it was more of a surprise than anything. The refs obviously saw it and threw a flag. I was like, ‘Hell yeah, we get 15 yards to start the game off.’ I didn’t realize he was getting ejected. Unfortunate that he did and hell of a player.”
Carter, 24, was a Pro Bowler last season after racking up 4.5 sacks among his 12 tackles for loss, plus six pass deflections and two forced fumbles.
He slid to ninth overall in the NFL Draft in 2023 after legal troubles cropped up around the time of the NFL scouting combine. While in college at Georgia, Carter was involved in a street racing crash that took the lives of a player and a staff member. He turned himself in and later pleaded no contest to charges of reckless driving and street racing.
