PHILADELPHIA — Eagles standout defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected from Thursday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys before the first play from scrimmage.
There was an injury delay following the opening kickoff for Eagles fullback Ben VanSumeren, who remained on the ground for several minutes. During that time, Carter and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott got face-to-face. Cameras showed Carter spit on Prescott as the two began to separate.
Prescott quickly motioned to a nearby official, who threw the flag and sent Carter packing for unsportsmanlike conduct six seconds into the NFL season opener. Fans booed as Carter walked off slowly, holding his helmet in his hands behind his back.
The Eagles were hit with a 15-yard penalty, and the Cowboys proceeded to go right down the field and score a touchdown on their six-play opening drive, which was capped by a 1-yard TD rush by Javonte Williams.
Carter, 24, is considered one of the best defensive tackles in the game. He had 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss to help lead the No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL last season.
The Eagles took Carter with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 draft after he slid because of his role in a fatal car crash that killed a Georgie teammate and a recruiting staffer.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
