New York Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka revealed to reporters that rookie edge-rusher Abdul Carter did not participate in the first series of Sunday’s 27-20 defeat against the Green Bay Packers due to a coach’s decision. While Kafka did not elaborate on the rationale behind the choice, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reported that Carter was benched for missing a walk-through, having reportedly been asleep at the team’s facility during the required meeting.
Duggan noted that Carter’s tardiness for meetings had been a recurring issue, which former head coach Brian Daboll had overlooked. Following the game, when confronted about the benching, Carter acknowledged his mistake, stating simply that such decisions carry consequences.
Despite the rocky start, the 22-year-old edge-rusher was involved heavily in the game after the initial series, participating in every other defensive snap and achieving one tackle and a quarterback hit.
On the season, Carter’s performance has not met expectations, as he has recorded just 0.5 sacks and a tackle for loss since being selected as the No. 3 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. The Giants had high hopes in pairing Carter with veteran Bryan Burns and 2022 first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux to develop a formidable pass rush. While Burns has excelled this season with 13 sacks, both Carter and Thibodeaux have struggled to consistently pressure the quarterback, with Thibodeaux managing only 2.5 sacks.
As the Giants look to refine their defensive lineup, it remains crucial for the young talents to adapt and overcome early setbacks, paving the way for a more productive remainder of the season.