Jalen Carter’s follow-up to a Pro Bowl-worthy 2024 season has been laden with obstacles, and on Thursday another one was added to the list.
The Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle underwent surgery this week to address issues with both of his shoulders and is considered week-to-week, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Thursday, per a source. Carter will miss Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Rapoport added.
After proving to be a play-wrecking force inside the Eagles’ 2024 run to Super Bowl LIX, Carter hasn’t quite been himself for most of 2025, a season that began with the third-year star sidelined after he spat on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott moments before the first game of the regular season. He returned the following week but has been battling shoulder ailments that first surfaced in training camp and have persisted throughout the campaign, limiting his activity and participation rates along Philadelphia’s defense.
In the Eagles’ Black Friday loss to the Chicago Bears — a game in which Chicago held Philadelphia’s defense to 281 rushing yards — Carter was only able to complete 70.1 percent of the snaps, the second time he’s completed less than 71 percent this season.
The disappointing defensive showing meant the Eagles could no longer contain Carter’s struggles. On Wednesday, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio revealed that Carter is indeed dealing with the same shoulder problem that limited him this summer and acknowledged that it still affects him. A day later, news of Carter’s operation completed the once-mysterious circle.