Eagles’ Jalen Carter ejected after spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in NFL season opener

Reactions across the NFL community, including former Eagles star Jason Kelce and analyst Stephen A. Smith, were swift.

The 2025 NFL season began with unexpected controversy as Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter was ejected just moments into the opening game against the Dallas Cowboys after spitting on quarterback Dak Prescott.

The incident occurred shortly after the opening kickoff when play was stopped for an injury. Cameras captured Carter confronting Prescott face to face before appearing to spit on him.

Here is Jalen Carter spitting on Dak Prescott: pic.twitter.com/4F5BjEDLHf

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 5, 2025

Officials immediately flagged Carter for unsportsmanlike conduct and ejected him from the match. He was escorted to the locker room before taking a single snap.

Replays later suggested that Prescott had spat toward the turf near Carter, though it is unclear if this provoked the response.

The loss of Carter left a major gap in the Eagles’ defensive line, particularly significant after key offseason departures, including Milton Williams and Josh Sweat.

Reaction across the NFL community was swift. Former Eagles star Jason Kelce posted on X, calling it “the most wild start to an NFL season of all time” before making a controversial joke about the incident.

This is the most wild start to an NFL season of all time. First play of the game, one player is carted off, the other ejected. I mean everyone knows you don’t spit, you swallow obvi

— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) September 5, 2025

Meanwhile, analyst Stephen A. Smith strongly criticised Carter, writing, “To hell with just an ejection. Suspend that man. Inexcusable! Stupid! Selfish!”

WTH did I just see? Jalen Carter — the Best Players on the @Eagles defense — just got thrown out the game before a freakin snap for SPITTING….SPITTING on @dak. To hell with just an ejection. Suspend that man. How in the HELL could you do something like that? Inexcusable! Stupid!…

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) September 5, 2025

The incident overshadowed the much-anticipated matchup and raised questions about Carter’s discipline and availability for Week 2. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had recently praised Carter’s potential, saying he needed to “play with great effort, and be focused.”