Defensive lineman Jalen Carter has quickly become a key player for the Philadelphia Eagles‘ dominant defense, making the health news that emerged on Wednesday, February 5, particularly concerning. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Carter missed his Super Bowl 2025 media session due to an unspecified health issue, raising questions about whether it might affect him in the coming days. Rapoport tweeted that Carter missed his media availability because of an illness, but did not provide further details on whether it was viral or bacterial. He noted that more information would be available later regarding Carter’s participation in practice.
The Eagles could face significant challenges if Carter is unable to play, though there’s no certainty about his availability for Sunday’s game. Even if he plays but isn’t fully healthy, it could present problems for Philadelphia. Carter had an outstanding second season in the NFL, earning Pro Bowl honors and a Second-Team All-Pro selection. He finished as the runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, recording 53 quarterback pressures, 6 pass deflections, 5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Additionally, he was strong against the run, tallying 30 solo tackles according to Pro Football Focus.
