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Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jalen Carter and several teammates are reportedly dealing with an illness days before their Super Bowl LIX matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday (February 9), offensive tackle Lane Johnson told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Johnson said he was aware of four or five teammates dealing with the flu or flu-related illness after Carter being limited in the team's practice and missing media sessions on Wednesday (February 5). Additionally, NBC 5 sports anchor John Clark said that Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio hoped Carter would be able to play in Super Bowl LIX.
The former Georgia standout was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his two-year NFL career in 2024, recording 42 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
Super Bowl LIX will be a rematch of the Super Bowl LVII played two years prior. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles, 38-35, to win their first of back-to-back Super Bowls, and look to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive, already won three times and made four appearances in the last five games.
The Eagles' lone Super Bowl victory came in February 2018, defeating the New England Patriots, 41-33, which marked their third of four prior appearances.