It’s been a chaotic start to the NFL’s 2025 regular season opener. The Dallas Cowboys opened the game by driving down the field for a touchdown against the defending champs. However, the chaos started before a ball was snapped as Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Carter spat on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott during an injury timeout after the opening kickoff.
Carter was ejected for his actions, but will he face a suspension from the NFL on top of his ejection? Let’s look at the latest update on the situation, and a few similar cases of players spitting on opponents, with a notable incident involving Hall of Famer Terrell Owens.
NFL Makes Decision on Jalen Carter
The NFL has made a decision on Carter, and the Eagles star has avoided a suspension. On Tuesday, September 9, NFL insider Adam Schefter broke the news of the league’s decision.
“NFL is fining Eagles DT Jalen Carter $57,222 for spitting on Dak Prescott,” Schefter wrote. “The league also says the game he was ejected for will serve as a one-game suspension. “After talking to the Eagles, the NFL and the NFLPA, Jalen has decided not to appeal and focus on the Chiefs game,” said Carter’s agent Drew Rosenhaus.”
The Eagles and Drew Rosenhaus also worked on an agreement that the team will not use the suspension to void guarantees in Jalen Carter’s contract or seek signing bonus payment forfeiture. https://t.co/73RQ5osD7q
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 9, 2025
Carter’s early ejection in the game against the Cowboys ultimately helped him avoid any future suspension.
Prior to the league’s decision, Mike Florio provided an update on Carter and whether the league could suspend him.
“Per a source with knowledge of the situation, however, a suspension is still on the table,” Florio wrote. “We’re also told that the decision is currently being finalized.”
“Carter essentially served a one-game suspension because he was ejected before he played a single snap,” he continued. “That points to a fine, perhaps in the amount of a check for the game he didn’t play — $57,222.”
On NBC’s halftime broadcast of the Eagles vs. Cowboys game, Florio had also indicated that Carter will likely face additional discipline. He referenced the “respect for opponent” section of the rulebook and said the Eagles standout is expected to receive a suspension.
How Did the NFL Discipline Previous Spitting Incidents?
Fans called for Carter to be suspended for spitting on Prescott. However, they won’t be too happy after hearing of how the NFL approached similar incidents in the past.
Every angle of Jalen Carter spitting on Dak Prescott pic.twitter.com/YY1Q6wVwXx
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) September 5, 2025
In 2006, Terrell Owens spat on Atlanta Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall and was only fined $35,000. Owens wasn’t suspended or even ejected for spitting on Hall because the refs didn’t spot it during the game.
Although he avoided suspension, Owens was still penalized for his behavior. He wasn’t the only player in 2006 caught spitting on an opponent, as the late Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor spat in the face of Buccaneers RB Michael Pittman. Taylor was ejected but not suspended for their playoff game, receiving only a $17,000 fine.
These incidents occurred 20 years ago, though, so this precedent might be outdated when it comes to Carter and his punishment.
Carter could have faced more severe consequences than Owens or Taylor. Officials immediately caught the act and ejected him from the game. Historically, the NFL has leaned toward fines rather than suspensions for spitting incidents, but those cases came in a different era, which left Carter and the Eagles in uncertain territory.
Prescott initiated the controversial situation. The Cowboys quarterback spat in the direction of the Eagles’ defense, and Carter took offense.
Later, he verbally exchanged with Prescott and spat on him, which led to the Eagles star’s ejection. Since the Cowboys star’s spit wasn’t directly on an Eagles player, he will face no consequences.
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
Prescott was able to get arguably the best Eagles defender out of the game through this exchange, and Carter should have kept better control of his emotions.
A Look at Carter’s Impact on Eagles’ Defense
Carter is a vital piece of the Eagles’ defense, and they need him on the field. His role is even more critical after the team lost DT Milton Williams and DE Josh Sweat in free agency. They’ve already struggled to stop the run in their season opener, and his absence is clearly noticeable.
Carter graded out with a 86.7 (B) grade during the 2024 season in PFSN’s Defensive Tackle Impact metric. That ranked fifth among all interior defensive linemen. It doesn’t include the playoffs in which Carter recorded two sacks and three passes defended during Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run.
With Williams departing in the offseason, a once-deep Eagles defensive tackle room is suddenly very thin in the interim. The top defensive tackle is run stuffer Jordan Davis, whose 67.5 (D+) DTi grade ranked 91st among DTs last season.
The Eagles face a Super Bowl rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, so a possible suspension would have proven costly.
Fans Wanted Carter Suspended
Even though history is on Carter’s side, fans wanted Carter to get suspended. In fact, many fans called for a multi-game suspension online.
“Suspend him for multiple games,” one fan said. “One of the worst things you can do to someone.”
Suspend him for multiple games. One of the worst things you can do to someone
— Blobby Light (@blobbylight89) September 5, 2025
Another fan chimed in, saying, “Spitting on someone is so despicable. Suspend him for 4 games.”
“Suspend Jalen Carter for 3 games minimum. I’ve seen a lot of stuff but you never spit on someone,” said another fan.
A multi-game suspension might be asking for too much, but fans are disgusted with Carter for spitting on Prescott and want a lesson to be taught.
Someone needs to set a REAL example this time. Did you really see Jalen’s smile!!! That’s right, Laugh and smile because he is not worried about any real response from the NFL. Let’s set a precedent! PLEASE!!! A real example.
Doug
Jalen Carter, how disgustingly disrespectful and what a horrible example you have set for so many young people! I know your mother must be so ashamed of you if she is still alive to witness your behavior tonight!