Sportsnaut
It was a stunning moment that rocked the NFL when Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott before the first snap of the game. The incident unfolded on national television in front of tens of millions of viewers during the season opener.
Instead of heading to the defensive huddle, Carter sauntered toward the Cowboys, where he confronted Prescott. Video shows that Prescott spit first, but it wasn’t directed at Carter and came from behind a couple of his offensive linemen. Carter then approached Prescott and spit directly on him — all in front of a referee.
THE PLOT THICKENS.
More angles and context have surfaced about Jalen Carter's ejection.
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— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 5, 2025
The next question: will Carter be suspended for the act? During an appearance on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football,” reporter Tom Pelissero said the league will review the entire incident.
“That could lead to a fine. It can, in certain cases, lead to a suspension, but there are several important factors here to note,” explained Pelissero.
“One, Jalen Carter effectively served a one-game suspension last night by becoming one of the only players in NFL history to get ejected before playing a snap. Generally, if you’re going back historically, the NFL, in terms of additional discipline, has handled spitting incidents with fines, not suspensions.”
More from @gmfb on the NFL reviewing last night’s spitting incident for potential additional discipline against #Eagles DT Jalen Carter, and why #Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is unlikely to face any for his role. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/BWbZnLotNc
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 5, 2025
Pelissero pointed out that officials will crack down on unsportsmanlike conduct and that spitting on an opponent has always been an ejectable offense.
Regarding Prescott, Pelissero doesn’t see the league disciplining the Cowboys quarterback.
“As for Dak Prescott, let’s be very clear here, there is no rule against spitting in the general direction of someone from a significant distance,” said Pelissero. “I would not anticipate that this is going to become something that ends up in discipline for Dak Prescott, but again, in any of these types of cases, they review the entire incident. That process may take several days.”
Following the Eagles’ 24-20 win over the Cowboys, Carter called it “a mistake.”
“It was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won’t happen again,” Carter said, via ESPN’s Tim McManus. “I feel bad for my teammates and the fans out there. I’m doing it for them. … Not being able to start the game even, finish the game, it f—ed me up but we’re going to get it better. It won’t happen again. I can make that promise.”
Prescott also shared his version of the incident, saying he spit toward the ground to avoid his offensive linemen and saw Carter...
