No suspension is on tap in connection with Jalen Carter‘s spitting incident. The standout Eagles defensive tackle will be eligible to face the Chiefs in Week 2.
A $57K fine will be levied, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting Week 1 — when Carter was ejected without playing a down — will serve as the third-year DT’s de facto suspension. This fine covers a game check on Carter’s rookie contract.
The Eagles and Carter worked out an arrangement in which future guarantees will not void as part of this NFL-imposed fine, Schefter adds. The team, as should be expected with a player of this caliber, will not seek any signing bonus forfeiture, either. Carter is now in the clear, though this incident will certainly ding a reputation that already sustained hits prior to his Philadelphia arrival.
Because the NFL is treating this like Carter was suspended for a game, the Eagles could have voided his guarantees. With the team undoubtedly eyeing an extension for the 2023 first-round pick — who becomes eligible for a new deal in January — it does not surprise it would work out an arrangement to protect his guarantees and signing bonus money. Having Carter for Week 2 will also provide a significant boost, as the Cowboys pushed the defending Super Bowl champions without the Georgia product available.
Viewed as perhaps the 2023 draft class’ top talent, Carter fell to No. 9 after a handful of teams passed on him. Carter was hit with misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing. These charges came in connection with the accident that killed Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy on Jan. 15, 2023 (LeCroy and Willock were in a separate vehicle). Carter reached a plea deal in this case, avoiding jail time, but some teams removed him from their draft boards as a result of the accident. That turned out to benefit the Eagles, who traded up one spot (via the Bears) to nab the high-end DT talent.
A suspension was believed to be in play, as Carter spit on Dak Prescott just after the opening kickoff. The Cowboys quarterback had spit in Carter’s direction prior to the ejection; the 24-year-old D-tackle spit on the star quarterback soon after. Dallas enjoyed success offensively against the Eagles, putting up 20 first-half points. Vic Fangio‘s defense adjusted, as the teams combined for just three points after the second-half lightning delay. But Carter serves as the Eagles’ front-seven anchor; having him available will give them a much better chance of containing the Chiefs in the teams’ Super Bowl LIX rematch.
This ban will presumably influence future punishments for spitting, though players would probably run the risk of an actual suspension if such an act occurs well into a game. Carter being let off without a true ban is due to him not playing a down Thursday night.