As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for their Thursday Night Football showdown against the Minnesota Vikings, all eyes are on one key question: Will Jalen Carter suit up?
The second-year defensive tackle has been a cornerstone of the Eagles’ defense since his breakout rookie campaign, but an untimely heel injury has thrown his Week 7 status into doubt. His availability — or lack thereof — could significantly impact how Philadelphia matches up against a high-powered Vikings offense led by Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson.
Carter’s Injury Timeline
Carter first appeared on the injury report ahead of last week’s game against the New York Giants, where he was listed as questionable with heel soreness. He was ultimately ruled inactive before kickoff, marking his first missed game of the 2025 season.
Following the Eagles’ 26-17 loss, head coach Nick Sirianni described the injury as “something we’re managing carefully,” adding that the team wanted to “avoid pushing him too early.”
Now, with just a few days of rest before facing Minnesota under the national spotlight, the question remains whether Carter has recovered enough to return.
What Nick Sirianni and Vic Fangio Said
During his Tuesday media session, Sirianni kept his comments cautious but slightly optimistic.
“He’s making progress,” Sirianni told reporters. “We’re still taking it day by day, but he’s trending in the right direction.”
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio echoed that sentiment on Wednesday, noting that the staff has been closely monitoring Carter’s workload during walkthroughs.
“We’ll see how he responds after today’s work,” Fangio said. “We’re not going to risk long-term setbacks for short-term gains, but obviously having him on the field makes a big difference.”
Sources within the team told The Philadelphia Inquirer that Carter has been moving better during individual drills and could be a game-time decision Thursday evening.
Why Carter’s Presence Matters
Few players in the NFL can change a game from the interior like Jalen Carter. Through his first five games of the 2025 season, he has tallied 3.5 sacks, nine quarterback hits, and 15 total pressures, per Pro Football Focus.
Carter’s explosiveness off the line and ability to collapse the pocket are crucial to Philadelphia’s pass rush — especially with veteran Fletcher Cox playing a reduced snap count and Jordan Davis still working his way back from an ankle issue.
When Carter plays, the Eagles’ defensive front ranks among the league’s top five in pressure rate. Without him, that number drops significantly. In last week’s loss to the Giants, the Eagles managed only one sack and allowed quarterback Daniel Jones to complete 74% of his passes — a reflection of how much Carter’s absence affected both the pass rush and run defense.
The Matchup: Vikings’ Offensive Strength vs. Eagles’ Defensive Grit
If Carter can’t go, Philadelphia faces a difficult assignment against Minnesota’s offensive line, which has quietly become one of the NFC’s most efficient units. Center Garrett Bradbury and guard Ed Ingram have anchored a front that has allowed just six sacks over the past three weeks.
