Jalen Carter has developed quite the reputation during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles. Whispers suggest that if he turns it on, he could be in the class of legends like Jerome Brown. If healthy and motivated, he's one of the most disruptive players on the roster and in football, but now, it seems he's also becoming something else.
Carter has added the title of 'special teams menace' to his resume. Opponents have to account for him when they line up for an extra point or field goal. His latest contribution came Sunday against the Washington Commanders, when Carter got his hand on an extra-point attempt and helped preserve a five-point lead.
BLOCKED by Jalen Carter 🛑
— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2026
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However,
there's more to Carter's kick-blocking ability than simply putting a 300-pound defensive tackle in front of a kicker. Special teams coordinator Michael Clay explained that Carter's natural explosiveness helps. Still, the defensive tackle has also learned how to maximize those physical gifts by studying the opposing unit's operation before the ball is snapped.
“A lot of it is his natural instincts of being a really good football player, and that helps him out a lot. He does a great job with his initial get-off. If you watch him, he studies the rhythm of the kicker, holder, and snapper to get that extra penetration. That 2 to 3 yards that we preach... Once you get past that long snapper and you get your hands up, he’s been given a great ability from the man upstairs to have athletic ability to get your hands up and block a kick."
Jalen Carter is a student of the game, and special teams
Carter's preparation helps him know when and where to attack. Clay's explanation might sound like a small detail, but blocked kicks can come down to fractions of a second. Carter has to win against a wall of blockers while timing his movement with the snap.
His physical tools make the job possible, but his preparation helps turn those tools into something the Eagles can use repeatedly. Philadelphia also doesn't view Carter as the only reason the unit has been effective. Clay credited players such as Byron Young, Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo for their work creating pressure up front. Make no mistake, though. He's thankful to have a weapon like Carter at his disposal.
"It’s nice to have him on our team. It’s nice to have that field-goal block unit. He takes pride in the field-goal block unit. Last week, [Assistant Special Teams Coordinator/Director of Team Relationships] Joe [Pannunzio] had the floor for about seven minutes to show the importance of our field-goal block team, and they all take it to heart, how they could change a game. That’s the second time we’ve kind of helped change the outcome of the game off an extra point. It’s one of those things where it’s all the credit to the players because they take pride in their craft, and they know they can affect the game in the little aspect of field-goal block that it is."
All of that illustrates how much the Eagles have invested in making their field-goal block unit more than a collection of talented defensive linemen. That investment showed up again Sunday. Carter's block changed the math of the game, forcing Washington to chase points later rather than kick an extra point after its late touchdown.
The Eagles eventually escaped with a 24-22 victory, with special teams playing a meaningful role in the outcome. Needing two to tie, Moro Ojomo closed the door and helped ensure the victory.
Moro said NOPEEEE pic.twitter.com/yhEgQ3vobu
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 13, 2026
Clay also pointed to the pressure the Eagles generated on Washington's later field-goal attempt. Even though that kick wasn't blocked, the unit's ability to create disruption can influence the kicker's process. Philadelphia wants its front to make every kick uncomfortable, whether that results in a block or affects the operation.
For Carter, blocking kicks has become another example of the preparation that allows elite physical ability to show up when the Eagles need it most. The highlight happens when his hand reaches the football. Still, the process begins much earlier, when Carter studies the kicker, holder, and snapper and figures out exactly how he plans to attack the protection.
That's what makes Carter's growing reputation particularly interesting. Opposing teams already know he can wreck a play with his power and explosiveness, but now they also have to deal with a player who studies the operation before trying to break it down.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Jalen Carter studies every detail before destroying field goals
