Jalen Carter ensured the NFL made an explosive, headline-grabbing return on Thursday night.
The Philadelphia Eagles star defensive tackle was ejected from the Week 1 opener against the Dallas Cowboys before playing his first snap of the 2025 season.
Carter spit at Dak Prescott, the NFL’s highest-paid star, during an injury timeout that came after the opening kickoff.
The pair, standing face-to-face, exchanged words before Carter took aim at his opponent’s jersey and backed away.
Footage later surfaced that showed Prescott spitting first, but not directly at Philadelphia’s third-year star, who was immediately flagged and ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Carter made his way off the field carrying his helmet behind his back, and watched as the Super Bowl champion Eagles won a tight game 24-20.
But missing the Week 1 match-up could just be the beginning.
Will Jalen Carter be suspended for spitting at Dak Prescott?
Carter is likely to face further league discipline for his actions, and according to the NFL‘s official website, that could come in the form of a fine or potentially a suspension.
Media personality Stephen A. Smith has already called on the NFL to suspend the ‘selfish’ star.
It was also announced last month that the league will be emphasizing sportsmanship and cracking down on certain gestures this season, urging players to stay on the right side of the rules.
Under new unsportsmanlike conduct rules, the NFL has expanded prohibited acts to include banning the ‘nose wipe’ gesture that league executive Troy Vincent said is affiliated with gangs.
Other gestures like the throat slash, simulating firing or brandishing a gun, or an act that is sexually suggestive or offensive, are also banned.
“The officials have made it a point of emphasis to the clubs. It’s just one of those areas that the league wants to work actively on,” NFL officiating rules analyst Walt Anderson said.
While Carter’s actions didn’t involve any of those gestures, he was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct, and could face further punishment.
According to a report from Pro Football Talk, ‘the manner in which Carter handles the situation’ in the coming days will be a factor in determining what happens next.
“If he’s anything other than fully contrite, the league may decide to send a message stronger than the de facto one-game suspension Carter received by being sent to the showers without playing a single play,” Mike Florio wrote.
How much have NFL players been fined for spitting in the past?
As well as facing a suspension, Carter will expect a hefty fine for spitting.
In 2020, former Baltimore Ravens defensive back Marcus Peters was fined $12,500 by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct after appearing to spit at Cleveland Browns WR Jarvis Landry as he walked away from him. Peters was not suspended.
Nearly two decades ago, back in 2006, Terrell Owens was also fined but not suspended when he spat on Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall.
The incident cost Owens $35,000, but wasn’t ejected from the game because officials were unaware the incident had occurred.
In the days that followed, Hall had called for the league to suspend his opponent.
“I think, for what he did, he deserves more than a fine,” the Falcons player said of Owens at the time.
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“The guy has all the money in the world. He’s making $10 million or whatever this year. So what’s a fine going to mean to him, really?”
What did Carter say after spitting at Prescott?
In the locker room on Thursday night, Carter offered an apology to his teammates and fans after the incident with Prescott, and promised it won’t happen again.
“You know it was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won’t happen again,” he told reporters after the game.
“I feel bad for just my teammates and the fans out there. You know, I’m doing it for them. I’m doing it for my family also but the fans, they show the most love.
“You heard them out there and not being able to start the game to finish the game just f***ed me up, but it won’t happen again.”
Carter also admitted he will ‘handle it’ should the NFL dish out further punishment.
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