Eagles Notebook: Jalen Carter escapes further suspension from NFL
DC Vic Fangio wants better performances from secondary
From The Reporter/MediaNews Group: https://tinyurl.com/5xwpk8kd
PHILADELPHIA — Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter avoided a multigame suspension for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, a league official confirmed Tuesday, leaving him eligible for the Week 2 showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.
After days of uncertainty, the NFL fined Carter $57,222 but didn’t impose an additional ban. The All-Pro defender already missed most of the Birds’ season-opening win last Thursday at Lincoln Financial Field after being tossed six seconds in. The league said the ejection will count as a one-game suspension. Carter will not appeal the fine.
The incident occurred during an injury timeout after the initial kickoff. While players huddled around injured Eagles fullback Ben VanSumeren, Carter and Prescott exchanged words. Prescott spit in Carter’s direction and taunted him, and Carter responded by spitting on Prescott’s jersey in front of a referee.
Carter was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and booted from the game. NFL officials explained to a pool reporter that spitting on someone is a “disqualifiable foul” and a “non‑football act,” as the league is ostensibly emphasizing sportsmanship this season.
“It was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won’t happen again,” Carter said afterward. “I feel bad for 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 today.
“It won’t happen again. I can make that promise.”
It was the third high-profile spitting incident in sports recently. University of Florida defensive lineman Brendan Bett was ejected for spitting on South Florida offensive lineman Cole Skinner late in Saturday’s game. The act led to a 15-yard penalty that helped USF seal an 18–16 upset victory. After the MLS Leagues Cup final on Aug. 31, Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez was involved in a physical melee and spit on Seattle Sounders security director Gene Ramirez. He was banned six games.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Carter would face internal discipline but details would remain “in-house.” Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio wasn’t happy about Carter’s behavior, saying on Tuesday at NovaCare Complex, “you’ve got to be focused on the job at hand, and extracurricular stuff can’t matter to you.” Fangio’s task in Week 1 was to reshape his defensive line on the fly.
“The first thing that happens is now you’re down to four D-linemen and everybody’s rep count has to go up,” Fangio said, citing Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo and Byron Young. “So to me, that’s the biggest adjustment. You lose the player, which is no good on multiple fronts, but it’s a rep thing, too.
“They did fine,” Fangio added about the trio. “Obviously it could be better. We didn’t shut down the running game by any means. We all could have been a little better.”
Davis logged 53 snaps — the most he has ever played in a non‑overtime game — and Fangio said the 6‑foot‑6, 340‑pound tackle’s improved conditioning was evident. Davis showed up at training camp in the best shape of his life.
With Carter sidelined, Young and practice‑squad call‑up Gabe Hall provided a jolt. Young contributed to a deflected pass that nearly became an interception, and Hall saw his first meaningful NFL action. Ojomo had a tackle and a QB pressure. Fangio said the rotation must continue to improve against Kansas City’s potent offense.
Secondary concerns: Fangio wants better technique in the secondary. Second outside corner Adoree’ Jackson, opposite Quinyon Mitchell, mostly struggled against Dallas, though he showed some decent coverage as the game progressed. Fangio stressed that Jackson needs to be a “master technician” because of the Chiefs’ talented receivers.
He plans to keep rookie Cooper DeJean at nickel cornerback, at least for now, even though injuries forced him outside briefly against the Cowboys.
“Preferably, we want to keep him at nickel,” he said, a day after Sirianni called DeJean “one of the best nickels in the NFL.”
At linebacker, Fangio shifted rookie Jihaad Campbell to an edge role, something he normally reserves for Zack Baun when Nakobe Dean is healthy. Campbell and Baun both made impact plays in coverage; Fangio credited their preparation and noted that practice mishaps earlier in the week underscored the importance of rehearsal.
The defensive coordinator expects veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, signed late last week, to contribute eventually but admitted he hasn’t seen Smith on the field and doesn’t know when he will be ready.
Meanwhile, he offered reserved praised the safety rotation, explaining that Sydney Brown was slated for base snaps while rookie Andrew Mukuba handled nickel duties. The plan went awry when Dallas began playing three wide receivers almost exclusively, forcing Mukuba into extended duty.
“He did OK,” Fangio said. “He had a couple major busts that hurt us and could have hurt us even more.”
NOTES: VanSumeren (patellar tendon) is likely out for the season, though the team has yet to confirm. Backup running back Will Shipley (ribs) is expected to miss extended time, possibly a couple months. … The Chiefs may be without three WRs on Sunday. Xavier Worthy (shoulder) is day-to-day, Jalen Royals (knee) is doubtful, and Reshee Rice (suspension) is out six games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy related to a multi-car crash involving street racing in 2024. … Sirianni became the eighth coach in NFL history to begin his career with five straight season-opening victories, joining George Allen, Raymond Berry, Potsy Clark, Jim Harbaugh, John Harbaugh, Sean McVay and Mike Shanahan. … The Birds have won seven consecutive games dating back to Week 17 of last year (36-33 L at Washington) and 17 of their last 18.
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Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc.