Jalen Carter's Recovery: Impact on Eagles Defense

Jalen Carter, the Philadelphia Eagles' third-year interior defensive lineman, will miss his second straight game due to shoulder procedures. Carter missed the Eagles' 22-19 overtime loss against the Chargers and is considered week to week following his procedures on December 4.

Throughout the season, Carter had shown signs of discomfort, particularly after the Bears loss on Black Friday, where he played a reduced number of snaps. His current season stats include two sacks, eleven quarterback hits, and four tackles for loss, which are decent but not elite for a player of his caliber.

The Eagles' defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, confirmed Carter's struggles with his shoulder. While Carter's absence is concerning, the Eagles managed to perform well against a weakened Chargers offensive line and will face another struggling offensive line against the Raiders.

However, the upcoming schedule includes two critical NFC East games against the Washington Commanders and a significant matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Experts like Dr. Dinesh Dhanaraj have discussed the possibility that Carter received platelet-rich plasma injections to aid in his recovery.

This treatment aims to accelerate healing for soft-tissue injuries but lacks conclusive long-term efficacy in studies. The Eagles face a tough decision on whether to push Carter's return or prioritize his long-term health, especially as they seek to secure a postseason spot amidst a three-game losing streak.

For now, they will continue to compete without him, hoping to maintain their defensive strength until his return.