Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Eagles Announce Jalen Carter Update Before Rams Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Sep 17, 2025 10:53 PM ET

The Philadelphia Eagles are headlined by offensive superstars Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, and Jalen Hurts, but they have a monster on the defensive line that has yet to hit his prime.

Jalen Carter has established himself as one of the best interior linemen in the NFL after Philadelphia drafted him No. 9 overall in 2023. The 6-foot-3-inch, 314-pounder made the PFWA All-Rookie Team after totaling 33 tackles with six sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 16 games. He notched the most sacks by an Eagles rookie since Derrick Burgess in 2001, via the team's website.

Last season, Carter led Philadelphia's defense with 45 pressures, 16 quarterback hits, and 12 tackles for loss. The former Georgia Bulldog also became the youngest defensive tackle (23 years old) in franchise history to make the Pro Bowl and was an integral part of the team's Super Bowl run.

Carter has gotten off to a more uneven start this year, as he got ejected pre-game for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in Week 1 before tallying two tackles against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2. Now, the 2024 second-team All-Pro's Week 3 status is in question, via the Eagles' social media.

Philadelphia listed Carter as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury. Tight end Dallas Goedert (knee), who missed Week 2, was also limited.

Meanwhile, backup running back Will Shipley (oblique) missed practice, and backup quarterback Tanner McKee (thumb) was limited.

Wednesday’s Injury Report.#LARvsPHI pic.twitter.com/70a8ITzyhP
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 17, 2025

Eagles Need Jalen Carter Long-Term

Losing Carter for Sunday's bout with the Los Angeles Rams would be a blow, as the Eagles could use his presence against an offense featuring Pro Bowlers Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams. However, it's more important to preserve the 24-year-old's health.

If Carter aggravates the injury and misses extended time, it would put more pressure on his teammates on the defensive line to produce. 2024 team sacks leader Josh Sweat is now with the Arizona Cardinals, but the Eagles do have 33-year-old Za'Darius Smith, who totaled nine sacks with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions last season. Other than that, they have third-year lineman Moro Ojomo (one career sack), fourth-year lineman Jordan Davis (3.5 career sacks), Byron Young (eight career games), and rookie Ty Robinson.

Philadelphia plays a 3-4 scheme, meaning it uses three defensive linemen and four linebackers. It's harder for linemen in this scheme to individually generate pressure and fill gaps than in a 4-3 scheme, where they have an extra teammate alongside them. Linebackers are on the second level, so they're directly behind the tackles.

Carter's presence makes it easier for the Eagles to deploy that scheme, but they may have to recalibrate if the injury lingers.

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

More must-reads: