— The NFL season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles saw both teams trade early touchdowns, but the game’s tone shifted when Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected before a snap after being flagged for spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
Key Takeaways
- Jalen Carter was ejected pre‑snap after officials flagged him for spitting on Dak Prescott.
- Both teams scored early touchdowns in the opening drives, exchanging momentum.
- The ejection occurred in the first quarter and prompted an on‑field review and immediate removal.
- Officials assessed an unsportsmanlike‑conduct penalty that affected field position on the subsequent series.
- The Eagles said they will cooperate with the NFL’s review; the league may issue further discipline.
- Immediate reactions from coaches and players were limited as the team and league gathered facts.
Verified Facts
According to game reports timed at 00:38 UTC on Sept. 5, 2025, Jalen Carter was ejected before the snap after being flagged for spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Officials removed Carter from the game following the incident; the ejection was announced on the field and recorded in the official play log.
The opening minutes featured an early scoring exchange: each team produced a touchdown during their initial drives, leaving the scoreboard even before the ejection altered momentum. Specific scoring plays and times are recorded in the game’s official box score.
The ejection was enforced as an unsportsmanlike‑conduct removal tied directly to the spitting incident. The NFL has long treated spitting at or on an opponent as conduct warranting immediate ejection; the league customarily reviews such incidents for potential additional discipline, fines or suspensions.
Context & Impact
The timing of the ejection—in the game’s early stages—shifted the emotional tenor and roster availability for the Eagles’ defensive front. Losing a starting or rotational interior lineman can affect pass‑rush matchups and run‑defense assignments, forcing quick personnel and schematic adjustments.
Beyond roster implications, the incident has potential disciplinary and reputational consequences. The NFL will review the play and determine whether fines or further suspensions are appropriate under its personal‑conduct and on‑field conduct policies.
- Immediate on‑field effect: change in field position and loss of a defensive rotation player.
- Short‑term team effect: the Eagles may alter defensive snaps and rotation plans for the remainder of the game.
- Long‑term effect: the league’s review could lead to formal discipline that affects availability in upcoming games.
Official Statements
The Eagles issued a brief statement saying the team will cooperate with the league’s review and that it does not condone actions that violate sportsmanship standards.
Philadelphia Eagles (team statement)
Unconfirmed
- Whether the act was deliberate or accidental has not been independently confirmed.
- It is not yet confirmed whether the spit made contact with Dak Prescott.
- Any additional league discipline beyond the in‑game ejection is pending the NFL’s review.
Bottom Line
The Cowboys and Eagles exchanged early touchdowns in the season opener, but Jalen Carter’s pre‑snap ejection for spitting on Dak Prescott became the defining incident of the opening quarter. The Eagles and the NFL are reviewing the matter; the outcome could affect both immediate game strategy and Carter’s availability in coming weeks.