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Jalen Carter ejection: Dak Prescott reveals his side of story in spitting incident

ProfilePhotoby: Nick Geddes09/05/25NickGeddesNews
Dak Prescott
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter was ejected in the first quarter of his team’s 24-20 Week 1 victory over the Dallas Cowboys Thursday for spitting on quarterback Dak Prescott. After the game, Prescott spoke with his former head coach and current NBC analyst, Jason Garrett.

Prescott told Garrett that he spit over teammate Tyler Booker‘s shoulder while they were in the offensive huddle. Carter thought Prescott spit at him, and he responded by spitting on Prescott.

“I talked to Dak as he was coming off the field after the game,” Garrett said. “Dak said he was talking to Tyler Booker, and he had to spit. So, he spit over Booker’s shoulder. I guess Jalen Carter was looking at him and he came over and he said, ‘Are you spitting at me?’ Then Dak said, ‘Why would I spit at you?’ He [Carter] got closer, and he spit back at him. I guess it was a misunderstanding.”

Prescott’s side of the story matches the footage NBC showed on the broadcast. After he spit on the ground, however, he looked up in Carter’s direction and smiled. The two had an exchange, and Carter spit back right in front of the official.

Eagles survive against Cowboys without Jalen Carter

Referee Shawn Smith confirmed that Carter was ejected for “spitting on an opponent” — Prescott. “It’s a disqualifiable foul in the game. It’s a non-football act,” Smith told Zach Berman of The Athletic.

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported Carter could face a suspension for the incident. The biggest factor, according to Florio, could be how Carter handles things post-game.

The Eagles’ defense struggled in the first half without Carter, allowing 20 points. The second half was a different story. Philadelphia’s defense pitched a shutout, notably forcing a key fumble inside its own 10-yard line late in the third quarter. That proved to be the difference, as the Cowboys’ offense failed to generate much.

The Eagles are now 5-0 in season openers under Nick Sirianni. There’s a lot to clean up before they face the Kansas City Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch in Week 2. The Cowboys, meanwhile, host another NFC East foe — the New York Giants — next Sunday.