Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles' Jalen Carter appears ready for first preseason game

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 8/10/23

Attention Ravens offensive linemen: Jalen Carter is coming for your quarterback, and if his recent training camp performance is any indication, there’s not much you can do to stop him.

With the first preseason game for the Eagles in Baltimore just days away, Philadelphia’s rookie defensive tackle appears to be in mid-season form. While reports of sloppy play have dogged Jalen Hurts and the offense recently, Carter continues to earn high praise from his teammates.

According to NFL Rookie watch, Eagles guards are starting to game plan how to stop him in practice. Even veteran DT Fletcher Cox is impressed, saying that “you don’t see” what Carter is doing from any other rookies.

Having to game plan to stop your rookie DT in training camp is wild #Eagles really found another stud on their already stacked defensive line… pic.twitter.com/nut8KjVk7E
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) August 9, 2023

That’s high praise, especially for someone who wasn’t known to have the best practice habits in college. Prior to the draft, former ESPN analyst Todd McShay expressed concerns about Carter’s work ethic.

“The football character stuff is concerning because the practice habits aren’t there and there’s story after story and all sorts of things that have come out with the background checks,” McShay said. “I’ve heard people say, ‘Well, the motor runs hot and cold.”

Prior to Carter’s junior season with the Bulldogs, even Georgia head coach Kirby Smart expressed concerns with Carter’s practice habits. Prior to the 2022 season, Smart told reporters that he wanted to see more effort and that Carter needed to be willing to push himself.

So far so good in Philadelphia. Back in March, Carter couldn’t finish his drills at Georgia’s Pro Day. Now he’s dominating practices against an offensive line with All-Pros like Lane Johnson and Jason Kelce.

No one knows how much action Carter will see against Baltimore on Saturday night, but it’s a safe bet Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson won’t be on the field.

Attention, Tyler Huntley: It seems a more focused and dedicated Carter will be coming for you.

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