Thursday night football got ugly fast when Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter made one of the most bone-headed decisions in recent memory. Before the first snap of the season opener against Dallas, Carter spat on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, earning an immediate ejection and leaving his teammates without one of their most important defensive players. The fallout was swift and brutal.
Why Did Jalen Carter Get Himself Thrown Out of Such a Big Game?
While Philadelphia’s Ben VanSumeren was being evaluated after getting banged up on the game’s opening kickoff, Carter got in Prescott’s face before spitting on the Cowboys’ signal-caller’s jersey. Officials flagged the transgression and ejected him from the game immediately.
The consequences came fast. Right after Carter’s ejection, Dallas embarked on a 6-play, 53-yard drive capped by Javonte Williams’ 1-yard touchdown surge. The Eagles lost their most disruptive pass rusher just when they needed him most.
Former Cowboys receiver Keyshawn Johnson didn’t hold back when he saw Carter get ejected. “Jalen Carter is a real dumbass, period,” Johnson said in a video posted on X. “A real dumbass. And you want to know why in college he was in the shit that he was in. A real dumbass. Like, what’s wrong with you? If I was Dak Prescott, I would’ve kicked his ass in his nuts. Period.”
🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ Jalen Carter really @dak pic.twitter.com/IQsoVn5Kdy
— Keyshawn Johnson (@keyshawn) September 5, 2025
What College Incident Was Keyshawn Johnson Referring To?
The incident Johnson referenced was Carter’s role in a racing car crash that killed two people, including then-Georgia teammate Devin Willock, in January 2023. Carter was charged with reckless driving and racing in connection with the incident. He pleaded no contest to the charges and avoided jail time.
That legal trouble followed Carter into the NFL, where he’s built an impressive resume despite the off-field concerns. The 24-year-old pro has played in 32 regular-season games for the Eagles. He finished as the runner-up for the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023 after being drafted No. 9 overall. Over two campaigns, Carter has racked up 75 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and 10.5 sacks.
Johnson brings credibility to his criticism, having played for the Cowboys for two seasons. During his Dallas stint, he registered 141 receptions for 1,820 yards and 12 touchdowns. He played 11 seasons in the NFL and also had stints with the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Carolina Panthers.
How Did Carter’s Ejection Impact the Game?
On the television broadcast, NBC color commentator Cris Collinsworth highlighted what a mistake it was on Carter’s part, especially considering the 6-foot-3, 314-pound defensive tackle is a huge part of the Eagles’ defensive game plan.
The numbers told the story of Carter’s absence. As of the end of the first quarter, Prescott had gone 5 for 6 for 79 yards through the air. Dallas’s Williams scored his second rushing touchdown of the night on the initial snap of the second quarter, showing how much easier things got for the Cowboys without Carter disrupting their offensive rhythm.
Philadelphia’s defense struggled without its most dominant interior pass rusher, leaving it vulnerable to precisely the kind of methodical drives Dallas used to build an early lead. Carter’s selfish decision cost his team dearly when they needed him most.
After additional footage surfaced, it was revealed that Prescott initiated the controversial incident. The Cowboys quarterback spat in the direction of the Eagles’ defense, which provoked Carter.
THE PLOT THICKENS.
More angles and context have surfaced about Jalen Carter’s ejection.
📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/2eFceHs14V
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 5, 2025
Carter later engaged in a verbal exchange with Prescott and spat on him, leading to the Eagles star’s ejection. Since Prescott’s spit did not land directly on an Eagles player, he will not face any consequences.
Through this exchange, Prescott managed to get arguably the Eagles’ top defender removed from the game, while Carter’s lack of composure proved costly.
