Jalen Carter’s shocking ejection in the season opener strips Philadelphia of a key pass-rush presence early, narrowing the Eagles’ structural edge on defense. Dallas surged to an opening-score drive but Philadelphia answered and held on for a 24-20 win, with Dak Prescott’s unit showing resilience despite the disruption. The moment sparked postgame questions about league discipline and how Philly will shuffle its front in coming weeks.

Ben VanSumeren’s kickoff injury adds a late twist on special teams, testing the Eagles’ depth in a unit that often sets field position. On the fantasy side, the immediate impact centers on how teams adjust after high-profile incidents, and which role players step into reduced-time windows or boosted opportunities as rosters settle in Week 2.

For fantasy managers, the takeaway is twofold: monitor discipline outcomes for Jalen Carter and the ripple effects on Philadelphia’s defensive rotation, and watch the Cowboys’ offensive flow against a wounded but still dangerous division rival. The opener underscored how single-game incidents can tilt a matchup’s leverage and alter early-season rostering and streaming choices.