Michael Carter II Misses Two Practices: Eagles Secondary Impact vs. Cowboys

Information cutoff: 6:34 a.m. Central on October 24, 2026. Philadelphia's final Saturday practice and game-status report had not yet been released.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Michael Carter II has not practiced Thursday or Friday because of an abdomen injury, leaving his availability unsettled for Monday night's Week 7 game against the Dallas Cowboys. The official Eagles injury report lists Carter as a non-participant on both days. That is a participation update, not a final out designation.

The concern carries extra weight because Carter was ruled out against Carolina in Week 6 with the same injury. Philadelphia's final report for that game showed three missed practices before he was declared out. Two more absences this week make Saturday's session the critical checkpoint.

Dallas visits Philadelphia on Monday, October 26, at 7:15 p.m. Central. ABC and ESPN will televise the game nationally, according to the Eagles' official viewing guide.

Carter's role in the Eagles secondary

Philadelphia's official depth chart lists Carter behind Marcus Epps at one safety spot. Andrew Mukuba starts at the other safety position with Kenny Moore II behind him, while Cooper DeJean is listed as the starting nickel corner.

Carter has worked in a safety rotation rather than serving as a locked every-snap starter. The Eagles' Week 4 injury report explained that he rotated with Epps when Epps was unavailable. That flexibility matters because Carter can help Philadelphia change personnel without forcing DeJean away from his primary nickel responsibilities.

Through five appearances, Carter has 15 total tackles, including six solo stops and nine assists, according to the Eagles' official statistics. He has not recorded a sack, interception or forced fumble. Those numbers describe a useful role player, not a player whose absence automatically transforms the defense.

What an absence would change against Dallas

Dallas has built a pass-heavy offense around Dak Prescott. The Cowboys' official team statistics list Prescott with 1,639 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions on 246 attempts through six games. CeeDee Lamb leads the team with 577 receiving yards, followed by George Pickens at 428 and Ryan Flournoy at 234.

If Carter cannot play, Epps becomes the clearest option to retain his normal starting role without as much rotational relief. Mukuba and DeJean would remain central to the coverage plan, while Moore supplies experienced depth behind Mukuba. The immediate risk is less about one missing starter and more about reducing Philadelphia's ability to match Dallas' receiver group with fresh defensive backs across a full game.

Dallas can test that depth with spread formations, motion and repeated intermediate throws. Philadelphia may respond by keeping its top nickel combination on the field longer, using fewer specialty packages or asking linebackers to carry more coverage responsibility. Each answer has a tradeoff against Prescott's volume and the Cowboys' top three receivers.

Fantasy football and IDP impact

Carter's status is a modest positive signal for Prescott, Lamb and Pickens if he is inactive, but it is not enough by itself to change their lineup tiers. Philadelphia still has starting-caliber options at safety, outside corner and nickel. Fantasy managers should treat the injury as one piece of the matchup rather than a reason to chase a projection.

For IDP formats, Carter remains a bench option while his availability and snap share are uncertain. Epps would gain the cleanest opportunity for steadier playing time if Carter sits, but Epps' 14 tackles through six games do not support an automatic start. DeJean, Mukuba and the Eagles' primary linebackers remain more stable tackle bets.

The Eagles D/ST receives only a slight downgrade if Carter is inactive. Dallas' passing volume raises the consequence of any secondary absence, but Prescott's five interceptions also leave turnover opportunity. The larger defensive question is cumulative availability because Philadelphia is simultaneously monitoring edge and coverage injuries.

The strongest counterargument

The case against overreacting is straightforward: Carter is listed behind Epps, and Philadelphia has Mukuba, Moore and DeJean available on the current depth chart. The Eagles can preserve their basic structure without him. A full or limited Saturday practice would strengthen that counterargument and could keep Carter in the game-day rotation.

What to check before Monday night

First, check Saturday's final practice participation and game designation. Second, review Monday's inactive list, normally released about 90 minutes before kickoff. Third, watch the opening safety and nickel rotations. An active Carter with a reduced role is different from a normal workload.

For the broader matchup, Football Nation's Cowboys-Eagles Week 7 guide tracks the full injury, fantasy and game-plan picture. The separate Nolan Smith and Jonathan Greenard update covers Philadelphia's edge-rush uncertainty.

Bottom line

Carter has now missed five consecutive listed practices across two game weeks because of the abdomen injury. He has not been ruled out for Monday, but two more absences make Saturday's report meaningful. Philadelphia has enough veteran secondary depth to function without him; the concern is reduced flexibility against a Dallas offense averaging more than 41 pass attempts per game.