As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare to face the Washington Commanders in Sunday's regular-season finale, many fans are worried about Jalen Carter's health as the postseason looms. The star defensive lineman missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to a hip injury he picked up in the Week 17 win over the Buffalo Bills, leaving his outlook uncertain at the most important part of the season.
Even though head coach Nick Sirianni made it clear that his starters would be rested against the Commanders, Eagles fans have eagerly awaited a positive update on Carter's condition. Unfortunately, that didn't happen on Friday, as Sports Illustrated's John McMullen reported that the 24-year-old defender was not practicing again.
- Update (Friday, Jan. 2, 4:31 p.m. ET): Carter was officially ruled 'OUT' for Week 18 by the Eagles on Friday afternoon.
Jalen Carter's Injury Is Something Eagles Can't Ignore Before Playoffs
The Eagles would be resting Carter if he were completely healthy, but that doesn't change the reality of the current situation. Three straight missed practices would be concerning, but not the end of the world in the middle of the season. January is here, though, and Philadelphia can't afford to play the long game with Carter.
Despite his inconsistent play, injuries, and antics throughout the season, Carter is still a key piece of the Eagles' defensive line, eating up 58.1 defensive snaps per game. He's been quiet statistically, registering only 33 total tackles and a trio of sacks, but he's also tallied a career-high seven pass break-ups, showing how he's made an impact in other areas. He has also registered pressure on 10.2 percent of pass-rushing downs, per Pro Football Focus, which isn't too far off from his career average (10.8 percent), despite any struggles he's going through this season.
Assuming that he won't face the Commanders, Carter will have officially missed four of the Eagles' final five games to close out the regular season. Even if he's healthy for the upcoming playoff run, the fact that he's only 58 defensive snaps since the calendar flipped over to December can't be ignored. The last thing Philadelphia would want is for him to show any rust in a pivotal playoff matchup, especially if it costs the team its season.
With the week almost over, Eagles fans will likely have to wait until the Wild Card Round for a potentially positive update on Carter. If he fails to make progress or deals with a setback next week, Philly will have to count on the likes of Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson, and Byron Young to lead the D-line in the postseason.
Carter is a polarizing figure, no doubt; however, the Eagles' front line is stronger when he's healthy and playing to his potential. Hopefully, his recovery can take some positive steps forward in the coming days, positioning him to be ready to contribute when Philadelphia's postseason begins.