Eagles DT Fined for Controversial Head-Slap Penalty vs. Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers Philadelphia Eagles DT Jalen Carter
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 16, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was fined by the NFL for his head slap of Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Connor Heyward last Sunday, the league announced on Saturday.

Carter was fined $11,817 for unnecessary roughness for hitting Heyward on the side of his head while rushing a punt in the second half of what became a 27-13 Eagles win in Philadelphia on Sunday.

Carter also received a flag for unnecessary roughness and a 15-yard penalty on the play. After replay assist, that flag was moved to after the change in possession, despite video evidence showing that it occurred before Steelers punter Corliss Waitman had kicked the ball away.

The change meant that the Steelers lost possession on the play, and they never got it back, with the Eagles running out the clock on their two-score victory.

The call against Carter being changed was one of a number that did not go Pittsburgh’s way in the game. The Steelers complained about the officiating during and after the loss, to no avail. 

There was also plenty of controversy with the officiating earlier in the game, when a fracas between Darnell Washington, Calvin Austin III, Darius Slay and Quinton Mitchell resulted in only flags against the two Steelers.

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