In a stunning development that could derail the Philadelphia Eagles’ playoff aspirations, All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter has undergone procedures on both shoulders, sidelining him for at least Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14. The news comes at a pivotal moment for the Eagles, who are clinging to their position in the NFC standings amid a recent skid.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Carter had the procedures performed this past Monday and is now in treatment for both shoulders. He’s being evaluated on a week-to-week basis, with the goal of returning as close to full strength as possible for a potential postseason push. While placement on injured reserve isn’t currently on the table, sources indicate this could extend into a multi-week absence.
The Eagles, currently sitting at 8-4 after dropping two straight games—including a disheartening Black Friday loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 13—can’t afford many more setbacks. Carter’s absence leaves a gaping hole in the heart of their defensive line, especially during this critical stretch of the season.
This injury might shed light on Carter’s underwhelming performance in 2025 compared to his breakout year in 2024. Through 10 games this season, the 24-year-old has recorded just 20 solo tackles, 12 assists, 32 combined tackles, and 2.0 sacks. He’s also missed time earlier, sitting out Week 6 against the New York Giants due to a heel injury and being ejected before the first snap in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
In contrast, Carter’s 2024 campaign was a revelation: 42 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 6 pass deflections, and 16 quarterback hits during the regular season, followed by a stellar playoff showing with 9 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 3 pass deflections, and a forced fumble across four games. His dominant play earned him All-Pro honors and positioned him as one of the league’s premier interior linemen.
Carter’s 2025 got off to a notoriously rocky start. In the primetime season opener against the Cowboys—a Thursday night kickoff for the entire NFL slate—Carter was ejected moments before the first play for spitting on Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott. The incident drew widespread criticism, with NBC’s Cris Collinsworth remarking that Carter had essentially “spit in the face” of his teammates and coaches. The NFL fined him $57,000 and deemed the ejection as fulfilling a one-game suspension, allowing him to avoid further games missed for that infraction.
Despite the controversies and dip in production, Carter remains on track for a massive contract extension. As the No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Georgia—where he won back-to-back College Football Playoff national championships—Carter is in the third year of his four-year, $21.8 million rookie deal, set to expire after 2026. Insiders expect his next contract to eclipse the five-year, $158.75 million extension signed by Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones in March 2024, which included $60 million guaranteed and an average annual value of $31.75 million.
For the Eagles, the focus now shifts to adapting without their defensive anchor. Head coach Nick Sirianni and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will need to rally the unit, relying on depth players to step up against a Chargers team hungry for a win. As Philadelphia eyes the playoffs, Carter’s recovery timeline will be under intense scrutiny—any prolonged absence could prove costly in the ultra-competitive NFC.
Fans and analysts alike are holding their breath, hoping this bombshell doesn’t explode the Eagles’ season. Stay tuned for updates as Carter’s status evolves week to week.