Dec 29, 2025
3 min read
Carter decided to undergo the procedure to prepare himself for the postseason.
Sports coverage of NFL Week 17 action.
PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter is expected to play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills after missing a month with a shoulder injury, giving the Eagles' defense a big boost heading into the postseason.He is not on the final injury report after returning to practice this week.
Carter, the defensive center, has hurt both shoulders all season.It reached a boiling point after Week 13 when he underwent a procedure to try to get healthier for the Eagles' playoff run.Carter said the pain and limited flexibility became so severe that he was unable to push during his time on the sidelines.He now has strength back in his shoulders and has noticed a difference in practice.
"I'm going to block better, I'm going to play with my hands more," Carter said this week."The shoulder is kind of limiting it."
He admits he's not at full strength, but he's healthy enough to play football again.Carter expects to revisit his recovery this offseason.Until then, he'll be a key part of repeating as Super Bowl champions next month.
“I can't get too excited because I'm still doing it every day.I still have strength,” Carter said.“I have a couple of times.(in practice) where I hit the O-line to a point where I could test my shoulder.And it felt pretty good.”
Carter, 24, was a second-team selection last season.He made his second Pro Bowl in three years this season, despite being limited to 10 games and playing through injuries.Carter played 85.3 percent of the defensive snaps while in uniform.(That's not counting the Week 1 game where he was ejected for spitting on Dak Prescott.) He could easily return to his regular role, though he's unwilling to put limits on his career.
"I'm trying to play everything," Carter said."We'll have to see. I don't know what they'll do."
"He had a good week of practice and I'm excited to get him back when we go this week and when we're ready this week," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said before Friday's practice."I'm excited for him to get back on the field and he's a great football player, so it's always good when Jalen Carter is on the field."
Even without Carter, the Eagles' interior defensive line has been excellent.Jordan Davis has been one of the team's best players this season.Moro Ozomo led the Eagles in sacks with five.Byron Young is a big contributor, and 16-year veteran Brandon Graham steps in as the full-time interior starter for the first time in his career.
“Nothing changes about this defense, we lose a guy, the next guy,” Carter said.The only thing is another D-lineman added to the line. That's it.
Humility doesn't tell the whole story.If healthy, Carter could be a game changer on the offensive line.Carter has struggled with his fitness in the past when he had no time.He says he runs and lifts weights to stay in shape.There's no substitute for real football moments, so the team might want to get him back on the field before the playoffs.(Lane Johnson, another high-profile player injured last month, still did not return to practice against the Bills.)
Which Indicators should be searched to see if Carter returns to elite form?
"I think it shows that I'm back," Carter said, "going all the way and winning (the Super Bowl) as a team."
