Jalen Carter’s performance has raised concerns this season, particularly following the Philadelphia Eagles’ recent loss to the Chicago Bears, where he participated in only 70.1 percent of the team’s defensive snaps—his third-lowest participation in two years. The root of the issue seems to stem from a lingering shoulder injury that Carter sustained before training camp, which continues to impact his on-field capabilities and overall playing time.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio addressed the matter, confirming that Carter’s shoulder injury is affecting his performance. Since experiencing the initial injury, Carter has been frequently noted on the injury report without missing any games, but his effectiveness has clearly waned. In previous matches against the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, and Denver Broncos, he was listed as limited during practice due to his persistent shoulder issue. Notably, he had to sit out several plays against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, managing only 47 snaps, the least he has played this season.
Fangio acknowledged Carter’s limitations, noting a mix of good and bad moments in his play. On a more positive note, during the game against the Bears, Carter notched his second sack of the season, along with two tackles for loss and two pass breakups. However, he struggled against the run, contributing to a troubling statistic as the Bears accumulated 281 rushing yards, marking one of the highest totals the Eagles have allowed in their long history.
The statistics reveal a downturn in Carter’s production compared to his impressive rookie season, where he earned a Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors. His run defense grade on Pro Football Focus currently ranks 94th out of 117 qualifying interior linemen, and he overall places 55th.
With a game against the Los Angeles Chargers approaching, and the Eagles not releasing an injury report until Thursday, there’s anticipation regarding Carter’s availability and effectiveness. In his absence, teammates such as Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, and Byron Young are stepping up, with Davis playing a season-high 59 snaps against the Bears.
As the team prepares for their upcoming match, Fangio hinted at the possibility of rookie Ty Robinson seeing some action, suggesting that the Eagles are looking at ways to supplement their defensive line while Carter works through his injury challenges. The hope remains that Carter can regain his previous form and contribute significantly to a defense that has faced its share of hurdles this season.