Jalen Carter's Spitting Ejection Deemed Suspension; No Further Penalties from Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter will not face further suspension after being ejected for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during last week's season opener. The NFL has ruled that his ejection served as a one-game suspension, avoiding any additional absence.
NFL's Decision and Precedent
The NFL announced Tuesday that since Carter was ejected before playing a single snap in Week 1, it will be considered as having served a one-game suspension. This sets a precedent that spitting on an opponent warrants a one-game suspension, sending a clear message across the league. Carter will still forfeit his Week 1 game check.
Financial Penalty and Waiver of Appeal
Carter will lose his Week 1 game check, amounting to $57,222, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. However, he will be available to play in the Eagles' Week 2 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, a Super Bowl rematch. The NFL Players Association also informed the league that Carter waived his right to appeal the punishment.
Contractual Guarantees Protected
The Eagles and Carter's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, negotiated an agreement ensuring the team would not use the suspension to void guarantees in Carter's contract or seek forfeiture of his signing bonus. This ensures Carter's financial security despite the incident.
The Incident and Apology
The incident occurred after the opening kickoff when there was an injury delay for Eagles fullback Ben VanSumeren. During that time, Carter and Prescott faced off, and Carter spat on Prescott as they separated. Carter apologized following the Eagles' victory, calling it "a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won't happen again." The incident took place shortly after the franchise's second Super Bowl banner was raised.
NFL's Stance on Sportsmanship
The NFL's decision aligns with a message delivered earlier this year by NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent, who emphasized that sportsmanship is a top priority and that there would be "zero tolerance for acts that demean the game."
Eagles' Internal Discipline
While the NFL handed down its punishment, the Eagles could have imposed their own discipline on Carter. However, coach Nick Sirianni stated that any team action would be kept in-house, emphasizing privacy in team matters.
Carter's Status for Chiefs Game and In-House Handling
Jalen Carter was available to play against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 14th, despite the ejection against the Dallas Cowboys on September 4th. The Eagles chose to abide by the NFL's penalty. Sirianni affirmed that further discipline would remain "handled in-house." Carter expressed remorse after the Cowboys game, promising it wouldn't happen again.
Eagles Defense Affected by Carter's Absence
Without Carter on the field for the first defensive snap, the Eagles did not sack Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during the game. Prescott was able to complete 21 of 34 passes for 188 yards.