Jalen Carter ejection: Rodney Harrison, Tony Dungy react to Eagles DT spitting on Dak Prescott

Jalen Carter‘s ejection for spitting on Dak Prescott before the first play of the Eagles’ season opener against the Cowboys has drawn many reactions across the NFL world. NBC’s Rodney Harrison and Tony Dungy have added their two cents in as well, condemning the Philadelphia star defender’s actions.

“I was really disappointed with him,” Harrison said of Carter during the second half weather delay. “He has to understand how important he is to that to that team. They’ve lost a bunch of guys, so he’s the best player on that defense. And I just thought it was very selfish and very disrespectful to spit in Dak’s face.”

“Dak doesn’t deserve that. No one does.”

Dungy added his perspective on a personal level. Morally and as a teammate.

“I don’t know how you can do that as a man, first of all,” Dungy added. “But then to let your teammates down, that’s unspeakable.”

The ejection came moments after Philadelphia fullback Ben VanSumeren was injured on the opening kickoff. The Cowboys offense and Eagles defense were both on the field waiting for the opening drive to begin when the incident occurred.

Close-up video after the fact shows the two jawing before both teams were able to get set. Carter then proceeded to spit on Prescott. The referee was right there and immediately flagged Carter for unsportsmanlike conduct and ejected him from the game.

According to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Prescott had apparently spit on the ground near the Eagles defensive huddle. Carter took this as hostile, according to the report, and spit back directly at the Cowboys QB despite Prescott explaining it wasn’t.

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio revealed that Carter’s ejection could lead to a suspension for Week 2 as well. However, there has been no decision made as of this report.

“One factor will be, we’re told, the manner in which Carter handles the situation after the game,” Florio wrote. “If he’s anything other than fully contrite, the league may decide to send a message stronger than the de facto one-game suspension Carter received by being sent to the showers without playing a single play.”

A potential suspension could come based on Florio’s report that “respect for the opponent” has been a widely-discussed topic across the NFL this season. Carter displayed “the ultimate disrespect” by spitting on Prescott before the game had begun, and the NFL could use Carter as an early example of these new standards.