The bad blood between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys wasted no time heating up in the 2025-26 campaign. Just moments into Thursday’s opener, Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected for allegedly spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. With the stadium buzzing and high tension, it took just one confrontation to set the tone for the rest of the night. Fans and former players instantly took sides, questioning how the incident might shape not only Carter’s season but also the Eagles’ shot at defending their title.
Why Was Jalen Carter Ejected Against the Dallas Cowboys?
Right after the opening kickoff, before the game’s first snap, the Eagles’ kickoff team suffered an injury that brought trainers out onto the field. As the Cowboys’ offense waited for play to resume, Carter approached their huddle and began exchanging words with Prescott. The broadcast then showed Carter spit at the 32-year-old quarterback. This act drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, resulting in Carter’s immediate ejection from the game.
Jalen Carter just got kicked out of the game before even playing a snap for spitting on Dak Prescott…
Jalen Carter is problem. He was charged with two misdemeanors, reckless driving and racing, in connection with a fatal car crash on January 15, 2023, which killed two people. pic.twitter.com/Fx5TRIcpfd
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) September 5, 2025
The reaction was swift and intense. Fans watching live and former players quickly criticized Carter’s actions. The conversation exploded on social media, with many calling for disciplinary action and questioning what it means for Philadelphia in the future.
How Did Ryan Clark and Fans Respond to Carter’s Ejection?
Former Super Bowl champion and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark wasted no time airing his thoughts on X, letting Carter know exactly what he thought of the outburst.
Jalen Carter are you f*cking serious bruh!! That’s some disrespectful, disgusting stuff man… and the lineman supposed to jump him!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) September 5, 2025
“Jalen Carter are you f**king serious bruh!! That’s some disrespectful, disgusting stuff man… and the lineman supposed to jump him!” Clark said. He posted multiple tweets, repeating how Carter’s actions crossed the line.
“Jalen Carter’s stupidity and disrespect is gonna cost these people the game!! I would lose my mind tomorrow in film if I’m Nick Sirianni. How dang dumb!!” Clark said in a follow-up post.
The fallout spread fast among NFL fans. Some immediately called for Carter to be suspended, while others argued his actions were unacceptable, especially in a rivalry game with so much at stake.
“Suspension incoming,” one fan said.
“Awful. He should be suspended,” another fan said.
After further footage emerged, it became clear that Prescott was the one who sparked the controversial incident. The Cowboys quarterback spat toward the Eagles’ defense, which set off Carter.
Carter later exchanged words with Prescott and spat on him, resulting in the Eagles star’s ejection. Because Prescott’s spit didn’t directly hit an Eagles player, he will not face any punishment.
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
As a result, Prescott effectively got the Eagles’ top defender tossed from the game, while Carter’s loss of composure ended up hurting his team.
What Does This Mean for Jalen Carter and the Philadelphia Eagles?
Clark knows firsthand the emotions that come with heated rivalries, having played for the New York Giants and then Washington before winning a Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
For Carter, playing in a match that kicks off the season as the defending Super Bowl champions added even more pressure. This situation spotlighted how quickly things can change when emotions run high, and now the Eagles will have to deal with the fallout from Carter’s ejection moving forward.
Carter was the No. 9 overall pick by the Eagles in the 2023 NFL Draft and has been a constant on their defensive front since arriving in Philadelphia. He made the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2023 and earned Second-team All-Pro honors last season, anchoring the Eagles’ defensive line and emerging as one of the team’s most reliable stars.
