Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was a top‑10 pick (2023, No. 9 overall) out of Georgia and entered the NFL projected as a disruptive interior defensive tackle with rare athleticism for his size (6-foot-3, 314 pounds).
After 33 combined tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in his rookie year, Carter elevated his play last season, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All‑Pro recognition after posting 42 combined tackles, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 12 tackles for loss across 16 games, anchoring a dominant Eagles front that won the Super Bowl.
However, up to this point in the 2025 NFL season, Carter’s play has been fragmented by injury and availability issues. He began the year dealing with a lingering shoulder problem and resurfaced on the Week 6 injury report with a heel issue that kept him out of the 32-17 loss to the New York Giants.
While many Eagles fans were hoping to get him back for Week 7, Philadelphia announced that Carter was downgraded to a limited participant in Thursday’s practice due to the heel injury, leaving his availability for Sunday in doubt.
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Philadelphia enters Week 7 at 4-2 after a recent two‑game slide, prompting increased attention on roster health and midseason adjustments.
The Eagles’ defensive front remains their identity, but missed snaps from Carter and other key defenders (notably Nolan Smith Jr.) have blunted consistency in recent weeks.
With Carter potentially set to miss a second straight game, the Eagles’ depth will be tested as they travel to U.S. Bank Stadium to play the Minnesota Vikings, who are 3-2 after a 21-17 Week 5 win over the Cleveland Browns.
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Minnesota arrives with an offense that can put up points, having scored 21 or more in three of five contests this year, led by star wide receiver Justin Jefferson (449 receiving yards on 29 receptions through five games).
As the centerpiece in Philly’s defensive front, Carter’s presence matters for several reasons. If limited or inactive, the Eagles will likely rotate Jordan Davis and other interior defenders for more snaps and emphasize edge pressure to compensate.
The Eagles currently sit as a narrow 1.5-point favorite, but the availability of foundational defenders like Carter will be a major variable in both in‑game matchups and pregame planning.