Jalen Carter update: New details emerge amid Eagles DL’s illness ahead of Super Bowl LIX

Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter missed his media availability today, per Andrew Groover. He also was unavailable on Wednesday due to an illness, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Carter boasts 41 tackles, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and nine pass deflections this season. For his efforts, he was named an AP Second Team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection.

The Eagles will need him as they prepare to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles’ defensive line will be particularly key to the Eagles’ success, with Patrick Mahomes leading the Chiefs’ offense.

Mahomes is one of the most slippery quarterbacks in the NFL and has averaged 29.1 rushing yards per game throughout his postseason career. Earlier this week, Carter had a hilarious response when asked how the Eagles planned on slowing down Mahomes.

“One thing is to sack him,” Carter said with a smile.

Carter can’t get healthy soon enough for the Eagles. On Sunday, they will square off against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX at 6:30 p.m. ET. The game will air live on FOX.

NFL officials respond to allegations of bias

Throughout the Chiefs’ run of success, fans have been quick to claim that the referees make biased calls in favor of Kansas City. On Tuesday, the NFL Referees Association released a statement addressing these accusations.

“Commissioner Goodell’s comments that it is ‘ridiculous’ to presume that NFL Officials are not doing everything possible to make the right call on every play is spot on,” said Scott Green, executive director of the NFLRA. “Officiating crews do not work the same team more than twice each regular season. It is insulting and preposterous to hear conspiracy theories that somehow 17 officiating crews consisting of 138 officials are colluding to assist one team.

“There are many things that fans can worry about over a 17-game season, such as coaching decisions, player injuries, the weather and, yes, even close calls on incredible plays made by incredible athletes,” Green continued. “But you can rest assured that on every single down, NFL Officials, both on the field and in the replay booth, are doing everything humanly possible to officiate every play correctly.”

The officials for Super Bowl LIX will be referee Ron Torbert, side judge Boris Cheek, umpire Mike Morton, down judge Max Causey, line judge Mark Stewart, field judge Mearl Robinson, back judge Jonah Monroe and replay official Kevin Brown. Torbert and Cheek are the only two officials who have previous Super Bowl experience.