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Eagles rookie Jalen Carter returns fumble for touchdown vs. Cowboys

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•12/10/23•

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Jalen Carter got the Eagles into the end zone Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys. The Philadelphia rookie out of Georgia recovered a Dak Prescott fumble and returned it for a touchdown to cut the lead 24-13 in the third quarter.

Veteran Fletcher Cox was able to sack and punch the ball out of Prescott’s grip. With the ball on the turf, Carter scooped and scored.

The play can be viewed below.

This isn’t the first time the potential Defensive Rookie of the Year made a highlight reel. Carter nearly intercepted a spiked ball against the Kansas City Chiefs in November.

Coming into Sunday night, Carter had 26 total tackles, 16 solo tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles.

The 22-year-old rookie was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out Georgia.

As a member of the Class of 2020, Carter was a five-star recruit out of Apopka (Fla.) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 2 overall prospect in the state, the No. 4 defensive lineman in the class and the No. 14 overall prospect in the class.

Jalen Carter defends emotions after loss to 49ers

Safe to say Carter is an emotional player and cares about his teammates and craft. He got emotional amid the 42-19 loss with fans sharing on social media a video that shows him crying while talking to head coach Nick Sirianni.

The former Georgia Bulldog clapped back at those who would criticize him for showing emotion. The loss was particularly hard to stomach given that it was in front of the home crowd in Philadelphia.

“I’ll rather cry for losing a game then cry that I’m still broke y’all get y’all life together,” Carter posted on his Instagram story.

Carter has impressed everyone within the organization, including defensive coordinator Sean Desai. Desai noted several weeks into the season just how much Carter loves football.

“I don’t know if it’s a surprise, but it’s impressive how much he loves football,” Desai said. “He’s like a sponge… asking for feedback… getting coached hard.”