Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had a solid game against the Philadelphia Eagles, but it was marred by Jalen Carter spitting on him.
NFL rules analyst and former referee Walt Anderson confirmed that Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott will not receive discipline for his role in “spit-gate.” According to Anderson, Prescott’s actions that may have incited Jalen Carter’s decision to spit on him were non-punishable.
Video showed Prescott jawing at Carter before the first play, even spitting, though the spit was unrelated to the conversation according to Prescott himself.
Via a report from Mike Florio on Pro Football Talk, Anderson said “There really wasn’t anything that happened, really up until the point that Jalen Carter actually spit on Dak Prescott.”
So, Prescott will escape the situation without a punishment, while Carter’s supplemental punishment decision from the NFL will come Monday. Carter was ejected from the game after the incident, which occurred before the first snap from scrimmage occurred.
Carter Likely to Receive Fine, Not Suspension
Florio wrote in his report that Carter’s actions, though reprehensible, likely won’t result in a suspension.
“But a suspension would defy years of fine-only precedent,” Florio wrote. “If the goal is to put an end to it, a significant fine (in the amount of a game check) could be the message the league sends.”
The precedent has been set in other spitting situations that suspensions are typically not handed out, instead the offenders are hit with fines. The most recent spitting incident in the NFL came in 2020 when Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters spit on Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry. Peters was fined, but not suspended.
Terrell Owens and Sean Taylor have been offenders in the two other spitting incidents in NFL history, and were fined $35,000 and $17,000, respectively.
The only information about the fine Carter will receive is that it will likely be “substantial,” according to Adam Schefter.
Philadelphia Gets The Last Laugh Despite Carter’s Infraction
The Philadelphia Eagles still managed to pick up the win over the Cowboys in the NFL season opener as they celebrated their Super Bowl victory last season. The loss of Carter seemed to give Prescott and the Cowboys offense a bit of help to start the game as they had an effective first half, but second half and weather delay adjustments from the Eagles defense put a stop to any momentum the Dallas offense had.
The lengthy weather delay impacted both offenses. After a wild 41-point first half, just three points were scored in the second half, by the Eagles. None were scored in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles are looking to defend not only their Super Bowl title this season, but also their NFC East title. They got a great boost from defeating their division rivals in the first game of the season.