It didn’t take long to have the first controversy of the NFL season.
Philadelphia Eagles star defensive tackle Jalen Carter was kicked out of the opening game on Sunday Night vs. the Dallas Cowboys before he got to play a snap. Carter was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty call while the Eagles medical staff was looking at another player for an injury.
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Carter’s ejection could have huge implications on the first game of the year, as he is one of Philadelphia’s best defensive players, and the Eagles didn’t prepare for him not to play. Here’s a look at what he did to get kicked out.
MORE: Eagles vs. Cowboys updates, highlights from 2025 NFL season opener
Jalen Carter ejection, explained
Jalen Carter was ejected from the opening game vs. the Cowboys for spitting on Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott. The incident occurred during a pause in action after the opening kickoff, when a Philadelphia player was being helped off with an injury.
Eagles star Jalen Carter is ejected from the NFL season opener before there’s a play from scrimmage.
Mike Tirico: “WHOA! WHOA!… Did he spit? Did he spit on [Dak Prescott]? I think he did. There you go.”
Cris Collinsworth: “You just can’t believe what you just saw.” 🏈🎙️ #NFL pic.twitter.com/hDvGUVQBgU
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 5, 2025
The NFL is making an effort to crack down on unsportsmanlike penalties this season, and Carter is the first victim of the actions. Besides the ejection, the Eagles were also given a 15-yard penalty for Carter’s action against Prescott.
According to Cowboys reporter Nick Harris, Prescott spit in the area of the Eagles huddle, which Carter took personally.
Some more context on the Jalen Carter spitgate:
According to two people with knowledge of the ordeal, Dak Prescott spit on the ground in the general vicinity of the Eagles defensive huddle. Carter thought it was hostile. While Prescott was explaining it wasn’t, Carter spit back.
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) September 5, 2025
On that first drive, Dallas went down the field and scored a rushing touchdown, perhaps because Carter wasn’t on the field to provide any resistance.
When asked about the ejection, referee Shawn Smith said he threw Carer out of the game because he executed a “non-football act.”
Pool reporter with referee Shawn Smith on Jalen Carter ejection:
Question: What did you observe that led to the disqualification (of Carter)?
Smith: “One of the officials observed him spitting on an opponent.”
Question: Why did that rise to the level of disqualification as…
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) September 5, 2025
After the game, Carter was remorseful and said he let the fans and his teammates down for getting ejected. He also downplayed the interaction he had with Prescott.
Jalen Carter addresses the media pic.twitter.com/XtEArwl2cq
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) September 5, 2025
Prescott added that he was just messing around with his offensive line and didn’t intentionally spit in Carter’s direction. He also added that it was “unfortunate” that Carter hot ejected.
MORE COWBOYS-EAGLES:
Will Jalen Carter get suspended?
Carter will probably be fined for spitting at Prescott, but a suspension is less likely. The league typically resorts to fining players for unsportsmanlike penalties that it believes cross a line, leaving suspensions to repeat offenders in certain cases.
