R1 The NFL has officially made an announcement regarding Jalen Carter ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Week 18 matchup — and it could have major implications for how this game unfolds.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his Week 17 performance against the Buffalo Bills.
The Eagles’ third-year DT made a huge play late in the fourth quarter in Buffalo, and it ultimately made all the difference. With the Eagles protecting a 13–6 lead, the Bills scored a touchdown to close within seven points, lining up for the extra point. Carter burst through the interior, timed his jump perfectly and blocked the kick instead.
That single swat wound up making a major difference, as Buffalo later scored again and, instead of trying to kick the extra point and tie it up, went for two and failed. Philadelphia left with a 13–12 win.
Carter Is Playing a Tad Better at Just the Right Time
Carter getting acknowledged for his special teams play speaks to the many ways he can impact a game. He played well over his first two seasons, but he’s been dealing with injuries to both of his shoulders in Year 3, and it’s forced him to miss some time.
Carter’s second year was his best so far. He earned Second-Team All-Pro recognition and finished with 42 tackles (12 for loss), 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, six battled balls and 16 QB hits.
In 2025, he hasn’t been the same player, but that’s because he’s been playing hurt. Through 12 games (11 starts) this season, he has 33 total tackles, 3.0 sacks and seven passes defensed — which is unusually high batted-ball production for an interior defender and another indicator of his length and disruptive tendencies.
Against the Bills, he had the blocked extra point, along with a sack.
“I thought he played well. I really didn’t know how he would play because he missed three games, I believe, and didn’t practice until this past week during that time,” Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said about Carter on December 30. “He’s off to a good start and hopefully he’ll build on that and play good down the stretch here and into the playoffs.”
Will Philadelphia Eagles DT Jalen Carter Play Week 18 vs. the Washington Commanders?
Jalen Carter of the Philadelphia Eagles likely will NOT play Week 18 vs. the Commanders.
Multiple reports suggest Eagles coach Nick Sirianni and his staff are planning to rest the starters for Philly’s final regular season matchup against the Washington Commanders.
Thus, it looks like Carter and the rest of the Eagles starters will be getting an extra week of rest heading into the playoffs.
Potential Wild Card opponents for the Eagles include the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams, both of whom present different challenges.
Green Bay is always dangerous, but they’re without star pass rusher Micah Parsons, and quarterback Jordan Love, while questionable to play, still hasn’t been cleared from concussion protocol.
The Rams are coming off an ugly Week 17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, one that saw QB Matthew Stafford throw three interceptions. The Eagles have two of the league’s best cornerbacks in Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, so it’ll be interesting to see how it all shakes out.
