Jalen Carter was absent from the field for the Eagles’ defense during the Falcons’ first offensive possession during Monday night’s heartbreaking loss — and now it’s evident as to why he was on the sidelines.
The 23-year-old defensive tackle was late for “something team-related” last week, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Tuesday.
Specifics on what exactly that was weren’t clear, but Carter was back on the field for the Philly defense for the Falcons’ second offensive series of the game.
Carter ended up playing 46 of 61 snaps in the 22-21 loss to the Falcons on “Monday Night Football.”
This season has been a slow start for Carter, who has not registered a sack through the first two games
He has also only registered one quarterback hit.
Carter was selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Georgia, where he had been named a unanimous All-American in 2022.
The former Bulldog faced questions surrounding his work ethic during his college days, according to CBS Sports.
During his rookie campaign in 2023, Carter logged six sacks and eight tackles for loss before finishing second for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The Eagles suffered a tough loss at the hands of the Falcons, who marched 70 yards down the field late in the fourth quarter to pull off a comeback win.
Philly will face the 2-0 Saints in Week 3.
The Eagles are 1-1 through the first two games of the season after taking Week 1 in Brazil against the Packers.