Jalen Carter, a Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle, was absent from the team’s opening defensive series against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, apparently due to disciplinary issues.
According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Carter was not allowed to start Monday’s game after being late for a team-related function last week.
According to McLane, Carter was inserted on Philadelphia’s second defensive series and played 46 of the team’s 61 defensive snaps in the game, the most of any Eagle defensive lineman. However, he had little impact, ending with only one assisted tackle as Philadelphia lost 22-21.
Carter was taken ninth overall by the Eagles in the 2023 draft. As a rookie, he played 16 games and recorded 33 total tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. He was supposed to play a big role this season on a remade Philadelphia defensive line that lost defensive lineman Fletcher Cox to retirement and edge rusher Haason Reddick after dealing him to the New York Jets.
However, the Eagles have struggled to stop the ball over the opening two weeks of the season. Philadelphia ranks 30th in the NFL, allowing an average of 399.5 yards per game.
The Eagles hope to return to title contention this year after a disastrous conclusion to the 2023 season, but they must fix their defensive issues as soon as possible if they are to remain competitive in the NFC.
Philadelphia will try to rebound in Week 3, but it will be a difficult challenge against the league-leading New Orleans Saints, who average 45.5 points per game.
