NFL fines Eagles’ Jalen Carter $57,222; no further suspension after spitting incident
League says opening-second ejection counts as a one-game suspension; Carter will not appeal and has apologized
The NFL on Tuesday fined Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter $57,222 and said it will not impose any additional suspension after Carter was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
League officials determined Carter’s disqualification in the opening seconds of the Sept. 4 game at Lincoln Financial Field "will serve as a one-game suspension," the NFL said in a statement, and because he was disqualified before participating in a single play he forfeited his game check for Week 1. The league described the conduct as a non-football act and reiterated that it will emphasize sportsmanship this season.
Carter was ruled ineligible for the remainder of the game after officials said he spit at Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during an argument moments after kickoff. Referee Shawn Smith told a pool reporter the play was a "disqualifiable foul" and called it a non-football act. Carter's ejection came before he took the field for any play.
After the game Carter apologized, saying the act "was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won’t happen again. I feel bad, just for my teammates and the fans out there. It won’t happen again. I made that promise." Carter’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said the player does not intend to appeal the ejection or fine and will focus on the Eagles' upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Prescott provided context for the exchange, saying Carter had been "trolling" and that Prescott had inadvertently spit ahead while repositioning, which led Carter to ask if Prescott was trying to spit on him. The league's statement said rules prohibiting unsportsmanlike conduct are "of vital importance to everyone involved in the game."
The decision resolves initial uncertainty about whether Carter could be sidelined for the Eagles' anticipated rematch with the Chiefs, the opponent from last season's Super Bowl. Multiple reports had suggested a longer suspension was possible; the NFL's determination that the ejection counts as a one-game suspension cleared Carter to play in future contests, pending any club or league-imposed discipline beyond the fine.
The Eagles defeated the Cowboys 24-20 in the weather-delayed opener. The Chiefs last week lost 27-21 to the Los Angeles Chargers in a game played in Brazil. The NFL said it will continue to work with clubs and the NFL Players Association to emphasize conduct standards throughout the season.
The fine and the ruling that Carter’s ejection serves as the one-game suspension were first reported by the league and later confirmed by team and league sources. Carter remains on the Eagles' roster and is expected to rejoin team activities, subject to normal availability and any team decisions.
No further appeals or disciplinary actions have been announced as of Tuesday.