It's an NFC East battle between the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants on "Thursday Night Football." Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart will be making his third career start and first in primetime at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Luckily for him, one of the Eagles' best defenders won't be in the lineup.
Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter is inactive for tonight's game against the Giants. The All-Pro Carter is reportedly dealing with a heel injury and will miss Philadelphia's second divisional game of the season.
This will be the second game Carter has missed this season after he was ejected for Philadelphia's Week 1 game versus the Dallas Cowboys after spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
Carter was limited in practice Wednesday and had a "questionable" designation from the team ahead of tonight's game. This is the first NFL game he's missed due to injury since taking on a starting role in Philadelphia in 2024.
Why isn't Jalen Carter playing?
The Eagles' star defensive lineman won't be playing tonight due to and injured heel which popped up on the injury report this week during practice.
It is reportedly not a major injury Eagles may be taking extra caution because of where they are playing tonight. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, while reporting on Prime Video's pre-game broadcast, said Carter, in what was "somewhat of a surprise" development, was sitting out with a heel injury. Rapoport added that "the turf at MetLife Stadium played a part in (Carter's) decision."
The Eagles' defense will likely use a rotation of Byron Young, Gabe Hall and rookie Ty Robinson to take Carter's place in the game.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Jalen Carter playing Thursday Night Football? Latest update on Eagles' DT
Reporting by Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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