Adam Schefter Announces Update On Potential Jalen Carter Punishment
The NFL is reportedly putting a new emphasis on sportsmanship as the league enters its 106th year. And because of that, discipline could soon be coming for Eagles defensive star Jalen Carter.
Carter was ejected six seconds into Thursday night's season opener against the Cowboys after spitting on Dak Prescott ahead of Dallas' first snap. The incident in question happened during an injury delay where Carter got face-to-face with the Pro Bowl quarterback before the two had to be separated.
"It was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won't happen again," Carter said after the game (via ESPN.com). "I feel bad for my teammates and the fans out there. ... It won't happen again. I can make that promise."
According to insider Adam Schefter, the NFL intends to really crackdown on unsportsmanlike penalties and behavior this year — which also extends to player celebrations of a violent gestures or are sexually charged nature.
'Zero tolerance' policy
Because of the league's point of emphasis on player conduct, it's reportedly likely that Roger Goodell and Co. will hand down a punishment to Carter as soon as the start of the new week.
With The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov relaying: "NFL EVP Troy Vincent told GMs, HCs, and execs this offseason that sportsmanship is one of the biggest threats to the NFL's brand. He warned of zero tolerance for any acts that 'demean the game' and said the NFL would come down hard on violators, per @AdamSchefter."
Adding, "A decision on Jalen Carter is expected Monday."
Further discipline
While Carter will almost assuredly face discipline from the league office for how he conducted himself in the first standalone game of the year, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni would not show his hand as to whether or not there would be an internal punishment for the 24-year-old DT.
But he did express disappointment in his player for putting himself in that situation and said it was something he'd "address."
"I want these guys to play with great energy, great tenacity while doing it within the rules of the game," Sirianni said following the 24-20 victory. "So we'll address that."
There's obviously no place in sports for spitting on an opponent — not matter the intensity of the rivalry. And if the league is taking the matter as seriously as it says, Carter might've cost himself and his team an additional week of play on top of losing some money.
Steelers receive bad news on fan-favorite rookie: 'Better pray'
The Pittsburgh Steelers were handed their first preseason loss of the year. On Saturday night, the Steelers fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 17-14.
A preseason loss or win doesn’t mean much, but how the young players performed does. Early in the game, Steelers rising outside linebacker Nick Herbig suffered a soft tissue injury. With Alex Highsmith’s groin injury also lingering, this now could mean that rookie Jack Sawyer might be thrust into more opportunities than originally expected.
One of the most respected NFL Draft analysts, Jon Ledyard, watched the Buccaneers versus Steelers game on Sunday and revealed some concerning updates about Sawyer’s game tape. While Sawyer displayed flashes of his strength and relentless motor, the tape also exposed areas of inconsistency in his technique.
The analyst pointed out that Sawyer struggled to disengage from blockers on a few critical snaps and at times looked a step behind in recognizing run plays. For a defense that relies heavily on outside linebacker depth to keep constant pressure on quarterbacks, those mistakes stand out quickly.
"Missed the Steelers-Bucs game live last night, so re-watching now," Ledyard shared to his X followers on Sunday morning. "Difference between [Nick] Herbig off the ball and [Jack] Sawyer off the ball is like watching a different sport. Steelers better pray Herbig and [Alex] Highsmith are good to go Week 1."
Despite the concerning breakdown, the Steelers remain high on Sawyer’s upside. There has also been positive news about the rookie. He has the physical tools and raw talent that made him such a popular rookie among fans when Pittsburgh drafted him. With Herbig and Highsmith both dealing with injuries, Sawyer could find himself in line for more immediate snaps during the preseason and potentially into the regular season.
The next couple of weeks will be crucial for him to clean up his technique, prove he can handle the added responsibility and show coaches that he’s ready to step into a bigger role if called upon. It seems that several pundits were not very high on Sawyer's showing Saturday night. Now, it's still early for the fourth-round prospect. He will surely continue to watch the tape and improve as he continues to adjust to the NFL level.
Sawyer recorded just one tackle, and while he has put out some troubling tape over the first two preseason games, it is not enough to truly cause concern. If anything, it is reflective of a fourth-round pick still adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL. The transition from college to the professional level is never easy, and Sawyer was a fourth-rounder in the eyes of many teams for a reason. He has the tools to develop, but it may simply take time for him to find his rhythm and consistency.
Steelers Likely To Need Jack Sawyer In 2025
The silver lining for Sawyer is that the injuries at outside linebacker will give him a real chance to build momentum. With both Herbig and Highsmith sidelined, even temporarily, the Steelers will need depth and fresh legs at the position. Sawyer will have opportunities to get on the field and show progress, but he will need to sharpen his technique and improve quickly if he hopes to make a legitimate impact in his rookie season.
The reality is that if Herbig and Highsmith do not return swiftly from their soft tissue injuries, the Steelers' outside linebacker group could be in a difficult spot. Soft tissue issues are unpredictable and can linger anywhere from days to months, making recovery timelines uncertain. That uncertainty puts added pressure on Sawyer, who suddenly finds himself facing a pivotal stretch early in his NFL career.
