PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The NFL has suspended Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter for one game and fined him, after he was ejected for spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott before he could take part in a single play during the season opener.
However, Carter is eligible to play Sunday against Kansas City, after league officials ruled his suspension already served last week. In a statement, the league said Carter will also forfeit his pay for the opener.
Carter was benched six seconds into last Thursday’s game for unsportsmanlike conduct after he spit on Prescott following the team’s Super Bowl championship celebration. According to Prescott, he unintentionally spat on the ground near Carter, which caused the young defender to spit on his jersey.
Despite Carter’s ejection — and a weather delay during the third quarter — the Eagles prevailed over Dallas, 24-20, to begin the season.
According to the players’ union, Carter won’t contest or appeal the decision. He apologized after the game, saying, “I feel bad for just my teammates and fans out there. I'm doing it for them. I'm doing it for my family, also. But the fans, they showed the most love.”