Eagles Pro Bowler Jalen Carter ejected before first play of season for appearing to spit on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

Jalen Carter, seen here during the 2024 season, was ejected Thursday before the first snap of the season.Cooper Neill via Getty Images

This is not how the Eagles wanted to start their season.

Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jalen Carter was ejected six seconds into Thursday's season opener against the Cowboys after appearing to spit on Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott.

Damn, Jalen Carter spit on Dak Prescott #NFLpic.twitter.com/s2UyNg45mT

- Steelers Depot 7 (@Steelersdepot) September 5, 2025

The incident happened after the opening kickoff that the Cowboys received. Eagles running back Ben VanSumeren was injured on the kickoff, causing a delay before the first play from scrimmage.

As trainers tended to VanSumeren, the Cowboys offense and Eagles defense made their way onto the field. Prescott and Carter got into each other's faces, and Carter appeared to spit directly on Prescott. Officials threw a flag and disqualified Carter for the game for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Carter walked off the field with his helmet in hand before the first snap of the game. The 15-yard penalty gave Dallas first-and-10 at its own 47-yard line.

Javonte punches it in!

: #DALvsPHI on NBC
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/RmDxAeCG4Mpic.twitter.com/wqfcuAlGcY

- Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 5, 2025

Carter is Philadelphia's best defender. He anchored the Eagles' defensive line last season for a dominant unit that helped lead Philadelphia to a Super Bowl victory. A disruptive force in the pass and run game, Carter tallied 4.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, 12 tackles for loss, six passes defended and two forced fumbles in 2024.

His ejection immediately put Philadelphia's defense at a significant disadvantage against a retooled Cowboys offense that's projected to put up a lot of points this season.