Jalen Carter ejected: NFL could suspend Eagles DT after spitting on Dak Prescott

Jalen Carter‘s exit from the Eagles’ season opener on Thursday night could lead to a potential suspension, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. The Philadelphia star’s upcoming status could be based on one specific element.

“One factor will be, we’re told, the manner in which Carter handles the situation after the game,” Florio wrote. “If he’s anything other than fully contrite, the league may decide to send a message stronger than the de facto one-game suspension Carter received by being sent to the showers without playing a single play.”

The Philadelphia star defender spat on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott before the first snap of the game. The officials wasted no time throwing Carter out of the game.

A potential suspension could come based on Florio’s report that “respect for the opponent” has been a widely-discussed topic across the NFL this season. Carter displayed “the ultimate disrespect” by spitting on Prescott before the game had begun, and the NFL could use Carter as an early example of these new standards.

“The league may decide that something more than an ejection is needed to send the right message to Carter,” Florio continued. And to the rest of the league.”

The ejection came moments after Philadelphia fullback Ben VanSumeren was injured on the opening kickoff. The Cowboys offense and Eagles defense were both on the field waiting for the opening drive to begin when the incident occurred. The referee was right there and immediately flagged Carter for unsportsmanlike conduct and ejected him from the game.

Additional context to the situation was later revealed. According to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Prescott had apparently spit on the ground near the Eagles defensive huddle. Carter took this as hostile, according to the report, and spit back directly at the Cowboys QB despite Prescott explaining it wasn’t.

Carter’s ejection has also drawn criticism across social media. During the NBC broadcast, both Rodney Harrison and Tony Dungy weren’t impressed with the former Georgia Bulldogs‘ actions. Harrison said that he was “really disappointed,” with Carter while Dungy doesn’t know “how you can do that as a man,” to someone else. Dungy condemned Carter for letting his teammates down, which Harrison agreed with.

With Carter’s status for Week 2 now in question, his status will likely be updated shortly after the conclusion of the Cowboys matchup. Philadelphia will hope to have his services back in time for next weekend’s matchup on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs.