The NFL has officially issued a $57,222 fine to Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter for spitting on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott in the season opener—an amount equivalent to his week-one salary. The league has classified Carter’s ejection as a one-game suspension served, meaning he is eligible to return for Philadelphia’s upcoming game against Kansas City.
Carter was disqualified just six seconds into the Dallas game, before a snap had even been played. He was seen spitting at Prescott after an exchange where Prescott had spat nearby. Officials deemed it an unsportsmanlike conduct violation and ejected Carter on the spot.
NFL policy states that if a player is ejected before playing, that amounts to serving a one-game suspension. Carter forfeits his full game check but will suit up for the Eagles’ Super Bowl rematch at Kansas City in Week 2. There’s no additional league suspension on the table.
After the game, Carter issued a public apology. “It was a mistake that happened on my side and it won’t happen again,” he said, expressing regret to teammates, fans, and family. Coach Nick Sirianni stated all disciplinary conversations would remain internal; nothing official beyond that has been announced.