With just three days until the Philadelphia Eagles take the field in New Orleans for Super Bowl LVIII, star defensive tackle Jalen Carter is dealing with an illness. According to NFL Media, Carter was absent from his scheduled press conference, raising concerns about his condition leading up to the big game.

The NFL Media Newsperson, Ian Rapoport took to X on February 5 and wrote,

“#Eagles standout DL Jalen Carter missed his media availability today because of an illness, I’m told. We’ll learn later about where he participated in practice and if so, how much.”

While the nature of Carter’s illness remains undisclosed, he isn’t the only member of the team feeling under the weather. NFL Media also reported that a support staffer for the Eagles has been affected by an illness.

 

BREAKING: Eagles superstar DT Jalen Carter has an “illness” – major implications for the Super Bowl pic.twitter.com/dBPaJvU7OP

— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) February 5, 2025

Despite the uncertainty, Carter’s presence on the field will be crucial as Philadelphia prepares for its championship showdown. Fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring his status in the days ahead.

Carter and the Eagles are gearing up to take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome for Super Bowl LVIII, with Kendrick Lamar set to headline the halftime show on Feb. 9.

Watch Jalen Carter speak to the media about their preparation for the Washington Commanders (Jan 24, 2025) game.

Jalen Da’Quan Carter, born on April 4, 2001, in Apopka, Florida, is a professional American football defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League (NFL). Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 314 pounds, Carter’s athletic journey began at Apopka High School, where he showcased versatility by playing multiple positions, including defensive tackle, tight end, fullback, and punter. His exceptional performance earned him a five-star recruit status, and he committed to the University of Georgia for his collegiate career.

At Georgia, Carter made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2020, participating in eight games and recording 12 tackles along with a touchdown reception. His sophomore year saw him elevate his game, amassing 31 tackles and three sacks over 12 games, which led to a selection on the 2021 All-SEC football team. Carter was instrumental in Georgia’s consecutive national championship victories in 2021 and 2022. Following these achievements, he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Carter as the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He debuted on September 10 against the New England Patriots, marking his first career sack on quarterback Mac Jones. Throughout his rookie season, Carter appeared in 16 games, starting once, and concluded the year with six sacks, 33 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery, which he returned for a touchdown. His outstanding performance earned him a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie Team.

In 2024, Carter continued to excel, securing his first Pro Bowl selection. He finished the season with 42 tackles and five sacks over 16 games. Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Carter is recognized for his community involvement. In 2022, he organized a youth football camp in his hometown of Apopka, aiming to give back to the community that supported his early development. Additionally, during his time at Georgia, he used his scholarship funds to provide meals for his teammate, Weston Wallace, a walk-on defensive lineman, ensuring that Wallace received the same daily nourishment as scholarship athletes.