By Matthew Davis
NFL players might think twice before spitting during a game, after the Week 1 incident between Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter.
The NFL announced on Tuesday that Carter’s ejection before the first play of the game counts as his one-game suspension for spitting at Prescott. Carter also received a $57,222 fine from the league, and that amount is his paycheck for that first game.
The NFL’s official release states that Carter’s “suspension is considered to have been served in Week 1” as he “was disqualified before participating in a single play” for the game. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that “it sets a precedent moving forward” and “a suspension will surely be the standard” in the future.
It’s a moment that marred the NFL’s first game of the new regular season on Sept. 4, with the league stating that “rules prohibiting unsportsmanlike conduct are of vital importance to everyone involved in the game.” The league also announced there will be a “particular emphasis on sportsmanship this season.”
Before the Cowboys took the first snap of the game, Prescott actually spat on the ground away from his offensive lineman, and Carter reacted by confronting him and spitting at him. However, Carter acknowledged his error following the Eagles’ 24–20 win over the Cowboys.
“You know, it was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won’t happen again,” Carter told reporters on Sept. 4. “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. … It won’t happen again,” he added.
Prescott made it clear after the game that his spitting on the ground was routine and not directed at Carter.
“I just spit ahead … and he goes, ‘You’re trying to spit on me?’ At that point, I mean, I felt like he was insulting me. I wouldn’t spit on somebody,” Prescott told reporters on Sept. 4. “I’m definitely not trying to spit on you. Like, we’re about to play a game.”
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed that he has addressed the issue with Carter. Sirianni didn’t confirm if there would be any further action by the team with a big upcoming Week 2 game against the Kansas City Chiefs (0–1) in a Super Bowl rematch.
“I’m going to keep everything that I do with him private, regardless of if you see it on Sunday or not,” Sirianni told reporters on Monday. “Everything, every conversation, whether it’s a personal conversation, a disciplinary thing, all those things will always be handled privately. I just think that’s the way to go about doing team business, and when you’re doing things with a football team.”
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke much more openly about Carter’s actions during Tuesday’s press conference. Fangio’s unit struggled against the Cowboys after Carter’s ejection amid four scoring drives allowed in the first half.
“You’ve got to be focused on the job at hand, and all extracurricular stuff needs to not have any importance to you,” Fangio told reporters.
The Eagles drafted Carter with the No. 9 pick out of Georgia in 2023. He started 15 games last season and became a Pro Bowler, with 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, 42 tackles, and 16 quarterback hits. His ejection affected everyone else on defense, as Fangio emphasized.
“The first thing that happens is now you’re down to four D-linemen and everybody’s rep counts got to go up,” Fangio said. “So to me, that’s the biggest adjustment. Obviously, you lose the player, which is no good on multiple fronts. But it’s a rep thing, too.”
While Carter is one of the most talented players on the team, he wasn’t chosen as a team captain this year. That said, Fangio aired his expectations of Carter to be a leader and not let the Week 1 incident repeat itself.
“Well, to be considered a leader, actions speak louder than words, and he’s got to lead through his actions,” Fangio said.
