Source: Eagles get good news regarding Jalen Carter’s back injury

The rookie from Georgia has been an early season standout for the Eagles defense with 3½ sacks.

Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was injured during the third quarter of Sunday's game vs. Washington.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer

Published Oct. 30, 2023, 6:04 p.m. ET

Defensive tackle Jalen Carter suffered a back injury Sunday during the victory at Washington and underwent an MRI exam on Monday. But the Eagles appear to have avoided the worst when it comes to the standout rookie’s availability.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni did not reveal many specifics about the first-round pick’s status during his Monday media availability, but he said things were looking up.

”Jalen feels better today,” Sirianni said. “I’ll say that. We want to get him on the field to see where he is. He feels better today. That’s a tribute to him getting in here and getting treatment and also our trainers.”

One league source told the Inquirer’s Jeff McLane that it’s believed Carter could even be ready to play as soon as Sunday against the Dallas Cowboiys. The Eagles host the Cowboys in a highly anticipated Week 9 showdown between the NFC East’s first- and second-place teams. The Eagles then have their scheduled bye in Week 10.

Carter, the No. 9 overall pick in April’s NFL draft out of Georgia, has had an outstanding start to his professional career. The 6-foot-3, 314-pound defensive lineman has consistently wreaked havoc against opposing offenses, logging 14 tackles, 3½ sacks, and two forced fumbles in seven games.