Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Eagles Announce Jalen Carter News Before 49ers Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Jan 7, 2026 5:58 PM ET

The Philadelphia Eagles did not have the services of Jalen Carter in their Week 18 loss to the Washington Commanders. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle was forced to sit out the game due to a hip injury, which he sustained in practice heading into the final game of the regular season.

The Eagles’ quest to defend their title will commence on Sunday. They will face the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC wild card round. The good news for Philadelphia is that Carter is trending in the right direction in terms of his playing status for the Niners game.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jalen Carter against the Kansas City Chiefs.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Carter is in the midst of another big year for the defending champs. In 11 games played in the regular season, the 24-year-old registered 33 combined tackles (21 solo), five tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits. Carter also logged seven passes defended, further establishing himself as one of the top defensive players in the NFL.

Carter, however, has been dealing with multiple injuries of late. A shoulder problem forced him to miss three straight games before returning to the lineup in Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills. The former Georgia Bulldogs star was forced to sit out again the following week due to a hip injury.

On Wednesday, the Eagles shared their first injury report of the week ahead of Sunday’s game against the Niners. The team announced that Carter was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice.

Wednesday’s Injury Report. #SFvsPHI pic.twitter.com/BT8JMUlZzM
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 7, 2026

This is good news for Philly, considering how Carter missed two consecutive practice sessions last week. He injured his hip in practice on Dec. 31 and was unable to practice on Thursday and Friday.

The fact that he practiced on Wednesday, albeit in a limited capacity, bodes well for his chances to play on Sunday against the Niners. The Eagles practice again on Thursday and Friday, and his availability for both sessions will significantly impact his final status for the wild-card showdown.

The Eagles will host the Niners on Sunday, with kickoff from Lincoln Financial Field scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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