Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sept. 4, 2025.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected from his team's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys after spitting at Dak Prescott just one play into the game.

But was Carter's act of the retaliatory variety? A new video from the NBC broadcast appeared to show Prescott may have started the argument by spitting at Carter.

The video showed the confrontation between Prescott and Carter, which began while Eagles fullback Ben VanSumeren was receiving medical attention after suffering a knee injury on the game-opening kickoff.

Prescott was in the Cowboys' huddle when he began walking in Carter's direction. He got to the shoulders of his offensive linemen and appeared to spit toward the Eagles' defensive tackle. Carter did not appear to be hit by the spittle and it wasn't clear whether the officials saw what Prescott had done.

Carter then came face-to-face with Prescott and hocked a loogie of his own. That act was spotted by the officials, drawing a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct flag and resulting in Carter's ejection from the game.

"It’s a disqualifiable foul in the game," referee Shawn Smith told a pool reporter of Carter's penalty during the lightning delay. "It’s a non-football act."

Carter could face additional discipline for spitting at Prescott. The NFL has put an increased emphasis on "respect for the opponent" ahead of the 2025 NFL season, so he could be fined or possibly suspended for his actions.

It isn't clear whether Prescott will be subject to similar discipline should the NFL review the incident.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Did Dak Prescott spit first? What new video shows about Jalen Carter incident

Reporting by Jacob Camenker, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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