Eagles Deal With Massive Injury Setback Before Week 6 vs. Giants
For the second time this season, the Philadelphia Eagles will be playing without arguably their best defensive player.
NFL All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter popped up on the inactives list for the Eagles just ahead of their Thursday Night Football road game against the New York Giants.
“Eagles DT Jalen Carter, who was added to the injury report Wednesday due to a heel injury, is inactive for tonight’s game against the Giants,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account on October 9.
Carter famously missed the season opener for the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles when he spit on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott just 6 seconds into the game — before the first offensive snap was even taken — and was ejected.
The NFL fined Carter a whopping $57,222 for the incident.
Carter, a 2023 first round pick (No. 9 overall) was dominant in his second season with the Eagles but has gotten off to a relatively slow start in 2025 with zero sacks through his first 4 games.
No Carter Could Spell Problems for Eagles
As one of the NFL’s most popular and talented young players, Carter’s absence was quickly noticed by Eagles fans and NFL fans alike ahead of the NFC East showdown — a game that comes just one week after the Eagles blew a fourth quarter lead against the Denver Broncos in Week 5 to fall to 4-1.
“No Jalen Carter is significant,” ESPN’s Jordan Ranaan wrote on his official X account. “Best player on the Eagles defense.”
“If Jalen Carter is out, that could mean that we’ll see a career-high in regular season snaps for Ty Robinson and Gabe Hall tonight,” The Philly Special’s Anthony DiBona wrote. “Robinson has never played more than two snaps. Hall has never played more than five snaps.”
“Jalen Carter clearly isn’t playing up to his level from last year, but he also flashed a lot more early on,” Bleeding Green’s Jonny Page wrote on his official X account on October 7 following the loss to the Broncos. “He played 67 (!) snaps this week, and it’s hard not to think that workload is taking a toll. Look at him beat the double team here and make a really athletic tackle.
Carter Regarded as Generational Talent
If Carter can get out of his own way, he could be a generational talent for the Eagles and in the NFL — and he could land one of the biggest paydays for a defensive player in NFL history as he’s eligible for his first contract extension following this season.
ESPN put Carter as the NFL’s No. 3 defensive tackle in its preseason position rankings as voted on by a group of coaches, scouts and executives.
Carter was ranked as high as No. 1 by several executives and no lower than No. 4. He was an honorable mention pick in the 2024 preseason rankings.
One thing that speaks to Carter actually being the most valuable player on the list is that, at 24 years old, he’s a full 3 years younger than anyone else in the Top 10.
“A year ago, evaluators around the league projected big things for Carter, who had already shown a knack for beating top-shelf offensive guards at the line,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on July 8. “He validated that faith with All-Pro second-team honors, a Pro Bowl nod and a Super Bowl ring. Carter’s 4.5 sacks and 8.8% pass rush win rate are not gaudy, but he’s the classic need-to-see-him-in-person player.”
Jameson Williams Gets Support From Kelvin Sheppard Amid Production Controversy
The Detroit Lions are on a four-game winning streak heading into this weekend's game against the Kansas City Chiefs with Jameson Williams a hot topic.
Williams has not recorded a 100-plus yard game since the Lions played Ben Johnson's Bears in Motown during Week 2 and some fans have questioned his demeanor on social media according to reporter Kory Woods.
While most fans continue to support Williams, the former Alabama star's thoughts on the issue were revealed in an interview attributed to Woods.
Woods also shared an update from Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, who revealed his thoughts on Williams' latest dry spell.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) tries to catch a pass intended for him against Cleveland Browns cornerback Myles Harden (26) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Sheppard's Take on Williams' Perceived Struggles
Williams has continued to chip in as a receiver while excelling as a blocker in new offensive coordinator John Morton's system with the Lions.
He hasn't compiled as much yardage as expected lately, failing to eclipse more than 100 yards total over his last three games.
Sheppard shared his innermost thoughts.
"I asked #Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard what he's seeing from the way defenses are playing Jameson Williams that the average fan might not understand when it comes to his lack of targets," Woods wrote.
"Sheppard: 'I would hope the average fan appreciates 34 points per game," Woods quoted the Lions coach as saying.
Williams' Impact Felt Beyond the Box Score
Williams' blocking speaks for itself, and he also provides a decoy that opposing teams must account for regardless of whether he catches the ball or not.
Williams is one of the NFL's best deep threats and commands attention on any route from defenders extending back to both safeties.
The Lions' offense is better with Williams on the field, that much is for certain. Whether or not he puts up Pro Bowl numbers may affect his contract status going forward, but it won't necessarily always affect the Lions' winning ways.
