For a player widely seen as one of the NFL’s top rising stars under the age of 25, things haven't exactly started on the right foot for Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
He played 51 snaps but failed to impact the Eagles Week 1 win over the Green Bay Packers in Brazil. This past week, Carter was benched for the Eagles first defensive series against the Atlanta Falcons for being late to a team meeting. He played in the game, but he was hardly a difference-maker for a defense that was routinely gashed in the run game and wilted with a chance to close the game out late.
MORE: Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter at center of Eagles struggling run defense
Speaking with reporters in front of his locker Friday, Carter confirmed that he was disciplined last week, saying the alarm on his phone never went off. He was also asked about his play through the Eagles first two games, and he gave a blunt and honest answer:
Asked about his play so far this season, Jalen Carter called it “trash.” Said he needs to play better. https://t.co/s5rX6tohlA
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) September 20, 2024
The Eagles were confident they could keep Carter on the program when they traded up one spot with the Chicago Bears to select him No. 9 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. It was the first time the former Georgia Bulldogs star was late to a team meeting, but he hasn’t exactly earned himself the benefit of the doubt at this stage of his pro career.
Jalen Carter’s recent history of trouble
According to ESPN, teams were turned off by Carter’s arrest on March 1, which stemmed from an investigation into a fatal Jan. 15 car crash. His reputation as a player and teammate also came into question, with Georgia coaches declining to go to bat for Carter during the pre-draft process, and a 2020 incident where he punched then-Georgia linebacker Quay Walker in the face during a fall practice.
In March, Carter pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing. He was sentenced to 12 months probation, a $1,000 fine and 80 hours of community service. The vehicle Carter was allegedly racing against crashed, resulting in the death of Georgia teammate Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy.
Crash survivor Victoria Bowles recently settled her claims against the school's athletics department, but her negligence lawsuit against Carter and the estate of Chandler LeCroy remains open, per ESPN.
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