The Philadelphia Eagles have a massive NFC tilt against the Los Angeles Rams on the schedule for Week 4, but they didn't get the best update on star defensive tackle Jalen Carter. According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Carter has a hairline fracture in his right wrist.
Carter got hurt in Week 1 and has suited up with a soft cast on his wrist to protect the injury. While Carter leads all Eagles defensive tackles in snaps, his playing time has decreased in each game this game. It's clear that the Georgia product isn't having the same impact that he typically does, and that wrist injury is likely a reason why.
Considering that it's still early in the season, the Eagles should think about placing Carter on the short-term IR and allowing him to get as healthy as possible for a second-half push.
Eagles may have to think long term after Jalen Carter's injury
Recovery time for this injury varies on the severity of the fracture. While the four-week stint likely wouldn't be long enough for the injury to fully heal, it would still give him some much-needed time to rest up.
The longer he plays, the more he risks causing more damage to his wrist. And it's obvious that this injury is impacting his play on the field. In three games, Carter has seven tackles, one sack, one QB hit, and one forced fumble.
He hasn't been able to wreak havoc in the backfield that fans are accustomed to seeing. Since he got a four-year, $152 million extension this offseason, expectations have only gotten higher. And with him being limited by injury, putting him on short-term IR shouldn't be out of the question.
The Eagles are looking to play meaningful football down the stretch, and having Carter as healthy as possible would give this team a better chance at making noise. It's never ideal to have one of your best players get hurt, but given the nature of football, that can happen on any snap.
The Eagles' interior defensive line still has the likes of Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson, and Jordan Davis. We know that Carter is the nucleus that makes the defensive front go, but the more hurt he is, the less impact he will have.
The coaching staff already knows his wrist is bothering him, which is why they have taken away snaps from him in every week. He's not healthy but is fighting through it. You have to respect the heart that he has yet sometimes you need to protect a player for himself, while keeping an eye on the future.
Read more: Former Eagles post-Week 3 check-in: Jaelan Phillips silenced, Reed Blankenship shines
Philadelphia should take a real look at putting Carter on IR and allow him to get some rest to help make a serious push during the second half of the season. They are a better team when he's at his best, and taking some weeks off would give him the best shot at regaining that form.
Add us as a preferred source on Google