Carter’s fitness is not a concern
Sirianni says he went over team rules regarding weight matters
PHILADELPHIA — It’s early to be worried about Jalen Carter’s conditioning, which Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni denies is a concern.
So, consider the first-round draft pick’s scaled down session during the first practice of rookie camp Friday merely the foundation for future stories.
The Eagles are in a very touchy situation with Carter having handed him a fully guaranteed five-year contract worth $21.8 million.
“We didn’t do gassers or anything like that,” Sirianni said. “I could tell you that I know exactly how somebody’s conditioning is after that. I know none of them are in good enough shape to go out there and have a full practice. That’s why practice was cut down today. That’s why we took time in between a rep. If we would have had a 40 … Now, he didn’t do 7-on-7 today. But I made those guys take a minute in between 7-on-7 reps. If we would have had a 40-second clock out there we would have had a penalty every single time because I know none of them are ready to practice the exact intensity that we are used to practicing in. Basically, I’m generalizing our entire team by saying they are not in good enough shape yet. This is not a fault on him. This is everybody out there and quite frankly this is everybody out there practicing this weekend in rookie minicamp. None of these guys are ready to go as far as ready to go in practice.”
Carter’s deal is that he was out of shape for his Pro Day, which basically is the sole workout a draft prospect has control over. He’d gained nine pounds since weighing in at the scouting combine and according to reports, was unable to finish the position drills.
While Sirianni says he isn’t concerned about Carter’s fitness at this point he did entertain a question about the big guy’s commitment to getting into game shape.
“We obviously went over our rules, our team rules,” Sirianni said. “And one of those team rules is, be on time, and another one of those rules is, be the weight you’re supposed to be and those are non-negotiable for me. They know that and we’ll just keep that standard as we go. But yeah, I sense that he wants to be the best pro he can be. I have no idea what each program says the person’s supposed to weigh, right, or even within the NFL if they don’t track that or they track it. But they don’t say, ‘you have to weigh this amount.’ We do. We will get him to what he’s supposed to play at, and I have no doubt in my mind he’ll do whatever he needs to do to be the player he needs to be.”
Jalen Carter is wearing No. 98. The all-time list of Eagles to wear 98, from Pro Football Reference:
DE Robert Quinn 2022
DT Hassan Ridgeway 2019-21 DT Bruce Hector 2018
LB Connor Barwin 2013-16
DT Elijah Qualls 2017
DT Mike Patterson 2005-12
DE Brandon Whiting 2003
DE Jimmie Jones 1997
DT Michael Samson 1996
DT Tommy Jeter 1992-94
DT Elois Grooms 1987
DE Greg Brown 1981-86