Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter underwent a procedure on both shoulders and will miss Monday night\'s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, a league source confirmed Thursday. The Pro Bowl lineman\'s recovery is considered week-to-week, with the team targeting full health by the playoffs.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio confirmed Tuesday that Carter had been playing through shoulder ailments. Carter was self-critical following last week\'s loss to the Chicago Bears, in which the Eagles allowed 281 rushing yards, the most since 2015.
\"There was some runs out there where I got drove back where I wasn\'t making no effect on the play,\" Carter said.
Carter serves as the fulcrum of Philadelphia\'s defensive front. The Eagles\' defensive EPA per play changes drastically when Carter is on the field (0.12) versus off the field (-0.14), according to TruMedia data.
His one-game suspension in Week 1 against Dallas contributed to defensive struggles in that contest. The Cowboys averaged 5.4 yards per rush without Carter available.
Byron Young, a three-year veteran, is positioned to backfill Carter\'s snaps. Fourth-round rookie Ty Robinson could also see increased playing time.
Moro Ojomo and Jordan Davis will be the top interior linemen with Carter sidelined. Ojomo has been one of Philadelphia\'s most productive pass rushers this season, tied for the team lead with four sacks.
Davis is known primarily for run-stopping but has elevated his pass-rush performance. Ojomo currently plays 65 percent of defensive snaps while Davis plays 62 percent.
The Eagles may also move Brandon Graham inside on passing downs. Fangio has experimented with the alignment in recent weeks given depth at edge rusher with Jaelan Phillips, Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt.
\"We could play him in there more,\" Fangio said two weeks ago. \"He can rush pretty good from in there. We were playing a lot of plays, and guys needed a break.\"