The Philadelphia Eagles opened their 2025 season at Lincoln Financial Field by raising their Super Bowl banner. Within seconds, the celebration was replaced by controversy. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected only six seconds into the game, before the first snap, for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
The incident happened after the kickoff. Eagles fullback Ben VanSumeren stayed down with a knee injury, which was later confirmed as a torn patellar tendon. While he was being treated, Carter and Prescott confronted each other. Referee Shawn Smith explained, “One of the officials observed [Carter] spitting on an opponent. It’s a disqualifiable foul in the game. It’s a non-football act.” Carter was penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct and ejected. He walked off slowly with his helmet as fans booed.
Prescott gave his version of events. “I was right here by the two linemen, and I guess I needed to spit, and I wasn’t going to spit on my lineman, and I just spit ahead,” he said. “(Carter) goes, ‘Are you trying to spit on me?’ At that point, I mean, I felt like he was insulting me. I wouldn’t spit on somebody. Refs obviously saw it (and) threw the flag. I was like, ‘Hell yeah, we get 15 yards to start the game off.’ Didn’t realize he was getting ejected. Unfortunate that he did. He is a hell of a player.”
He later added, “I stepped through, [and] I actually said words like, ‘The hell — excuse me, but probably even more colorful — what would I need to spit on you for?’ And he just spit on me in that moment. It was more of a surprise than anything.”
Dallas took advantage of the penalty, driving six plays for a touchdown finished by Javonte Williams from one yard out. Carter’s absence was felt throughout the game. The 24-year-old had recorded 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss last season, earning his second Pro Bowl, a second-team All-Pro spot, and finishing twelfth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Without him, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, and Gabe Hall played more snaps as Dallas scored on its first four possessions, two touchdowns and two field goals.
After the Eagles’ 24-20 win, Carter spoke in the locker room. “It was a mistake that happened on my side,” he said. “It just won’t happen again. I feel bad, just for my teammates and the fans out there. I’m doing it for them. I’m doing it for my family, also. They showed the most love. You heard them out there. Just not being able to finish the game, or start the game even, or finish the game, is disappointing. It won’t happen again, I promise.”
Jalen Carter admits he made a mistake after his altercation with Dak Prescott
“It was a mistake that happened on my side, it just won’t happen again.”
(via @Devan_Kaney) pic.twitter.com/a7fNsv3EdQ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 5, 2025
He repeated, “It was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won’t happen again. I feel bad for my teammates and the fans out there. I’m doing it for them. Not being able to start the game even, finish the game, it f—ed me up, but we’re going to get it better. It won’t happen again. I can make that promise.” On possible league action, he said, “If I get that text or that call and have that conversation, we’ll handle it then.”
Head coach Nick Sirianni said, “I want these guys to play with great energy, great tenacity while doing it within the rules of the game. So we’ll address that.” He confirmed that any team discipline would be kept inside. The Eagles finished the game with nine penalties for 110 yards.
Several teammates gave their reactions. Zack Baun said, “He knows what he needs to do.” Quinyon Mitchell added, “JC’s a great player, great human being, too, no matter what anybody tries to say. He’s a great dude. He’s gonna be back next week to help us beat the Kansas City Chiefs.” Lane Johnson said, “You can tell he’s devastated, but it’ll be a lesson learned for him. We missed him out there today.” Jordan Mailata shared that Carter addressed the team at halftime and “sounded remorseful.” Jalen Hurts said, “As a whole team, I think it’s just a matter of taking our discipline to another level and our focus to another level.”
Prescott acknowledged that Carter’s absence changed the Cowboys’ approach. “It changed our plan and our blocking scheme, as I’ve told you before the week that we’re going to protect against him. So it helped in that manner. I don’t wish for anybody to get out of the game. I’m sure he probably regrets that to some extent.”
The betting market kept a close eye on Carter’s status but showed little change. For Week 2 in Kansas City, DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and PointsBet listed the Chiefs as 1.5-point favorites with a total of 45.5 points. Moneyline odds were about Eagles +105 / Chiefs -125. DraftKings showed the Eagles at +650 to win the Super Bowl, +310 to win the NFC, and -140 to win the NFC East. Futures across FanDuel and Caesars listed the team between +650 and +700 to win it all. Jalen Hurts’ MVP odds ranged from +1300 to +2000, and Carter’s Defensive Player of the Year odds were +2000 to +2200.
Reports confirmed the NFL does not plan to suspend Carter, keeping him available. VanSumeren’s torn patellar tendon ended his season, while Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy left their opener with a shoulder injury and did not return.
The league has not announced any other punishment for Carter. The Eagles now turn to their Week 2 matchup against Kansas City. Carter, who may soon be in line for a contract worth up to $45 million per year over five years, will be available to play.
