- Jalen Carter was fined $57,222 for spitting on Dak Prescott, the NFL announced.
- The NFL said in its release that it deemed Carter’s ejection as a one-game suspension given that he missed the entirety of the season opener.
- Neither Carter nor the NFL Players Association will appeal the punishment.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter is paying an even heftier price for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the NFL season opener.
Carter, who was ejected just six seconds into the Eagles’ 24-20 win last Thursday, was fined $57,222 – the equivalent of a full game check – by the NFL on Tuesday for the incident, the league announced. He did not, however, receive an additional suspension, leaving him free to play in the upcoming Super Bowl 59 rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs. USA TODAY Sports’ Jarrett Bell confirmed Saturday that Carter would not face any further ban.
The NFL said in its release that it deemed Carter’s ejection as a one-game suspension given that he missed the entirety of the contest.
Neither Carter nor the NFL Players Association will appeal the punishment. Despite the incident technically meeting the terms of a suspension, the Eagles agreed not to void the guarantees in Carter’s contract or try to reclaim his signing bonus, according to multiple reports.
Before the first offensive play of the game, Prescott appeared to spit at the ground between himself and Carter, who then walked toward the Cowboys’ huddle. The two players met face to face and appeared to exchange words before Carter spat on Prescott. The quarterback gestured to an official, who immediately threw a flag.
Carter was then ejected for what referee Shawn Smith called in a pool report a ‘disqualifiable foul in the game. It’s a non-football act.”
After the game, Carter offered little explanation for what transpired but did take responsibility.
‘It was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won’t happen again,’ Carter told reporters at his locker. ‘I feel bad for just my teammates and the fans out there. I’m doing it for them.’
Prescott said he first noticed Carter ‘trying to mess with’ Cowboys rookie offensive guard Tyler Booker, which prompted the star signal-caller to step forward. Carter then accused the quarterback of trying to spit on him, Prescott said, and things escalated from there.
‘At that point, I mean, I felt like he was insulting me,’ Prescott said in a news conference. ‘I wouldn’t spit on someone. I’m damn sure not trying to spit on you. We’re about to play a game and I’m wondering why you’re trying to mess with the rookie.’
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said he would not divulge any internal discussions or repercussions but ‘we needed (Carter) out there today and he wasn’t out there.’
‘I coach with emotion, and I want them to play with emotion,’ Sirianni said in a news conference. ‘That’s what I say all the time. But you have to do it within the rules of the game, because we need everybody out there to help us be successful.’
The Cowboys would go on to score two touchdowns and a field goal on their first three drives. Prescott, who acknowledged the offense changed its plan and blocking scheme after the expulsion, was not sacked and was hit just once on the night with the Pro Bowl interior disruptor ruled out.
Undisciplined play dogged the defending champions throughout the matchup, with Philadelphia recording nine penalties for 110 yards. In 2024, the team ranked third in average penalty yards per game with 45.7 and never eclipsed 100 in a single contest.
Maintaining composure has also been a problem for Carter, who was flagged four times last season for unnecessary roughness.
