Sep 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) walks off the field with Eagles chief security officer Dom DiSandro (L) after being ejected from the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bill Streicher
Tuesday afternoon, the NFL announced it is fining Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter $57,222 for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
Just six seconds into last Thursday's season opener, the Eagles' best defender disqualified himself from the game:
Jalen Carter was ejected from the Eagles’ season opener after appearing to spit at Dak Prescott.
(🎥 NBC) pic.twitter.com/HbETVk1ALd
The act stunned Prescott, the refs, the Eagles sideline and football fans across the country. Carter's absence was strongly felt throughout the game, as the Eagles defense struggled to stop Prescott and the Cowboys from moving at will.
Since the incident, Carter and the Eagles have been waiting with bated breath for the NFL to drop the disciplinary hammer. Now it has: Carter has been fined, but more importantly, he has avoided any additional suspension.
The NFL said Carter's early ejection from the Cowboys-Eagles game will retroactively serve as a one-game suspension, since Carter was disqualified before participating in a single play.
Carter will not appeal the suspension or fine, choosing instead to focus on Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Carter's agent Drew Rosenhaus.
Each of Carter's weekly game checks is $57,222; therefore, Carter's fine essentially equates to a forfeit of his Week 1 game check.
"It was a mistake that happened on my side," Carter told the media after Thursday's game. "It won't happen again."
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said Monday that any potential discipline against Carter would remain private.
"To be considered a leader, actions speak louder than words. And (Carter) has to speak with his actions," Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio told media Tuesday morning.
Carter is eligible to participate in the Eagles' Week 2 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. After a shaky overall performance without Carter, the Eagles' defensive line will need him to be at his best – and on his best behavior – for the Super Bowl LIX rematch.
