Giants rookie Abdul Carter benched for series after missing walk-through, sources say

Giants rookie linebacker Abdul Carter was benched for the team's first defensive series in Sunday's loss to the Packers because he missed a team walk-through last week, league sources said.

Multiple reports added Carter was absent because he was sleeping, and The Athletic reported that he has been late to meetings before. In a post on X, Carter denied that he was asleep but reiterated what he said postgame that he made a mistake detrimental to the team.

“Was not sleep, actually doing recovery. Nonetheless that’s on ME!,” Carter said.

With Kayvon Thibodeaux out with a shoulder injury, Carter was expected to make his second start this season. Instead, Tomon Fox started at outside linebacker and Carter played every defensive snap the remainder of the game.

He only registered one tackle and one quarterback hit. Interim head coach Mike Kafka said he spoke to Carter about the decision but praised Carter’s energy and effort during the game.

“I love Abdul and what he brings to this team, the skill set he has,” Kafka said Sunday. “This guy loves ball. I'm excited again to watch him attack this week of practice and continue to work and grow and be the great player that I think he is.”

The move signaled a type of accountability that wasn’t always seen under previous coach Brian Daboll. For Carter, it comes as the No. 3 overall pick is still looking for his first full sack this season.

He had one-and-a-half sacks taken away by penalties last week against the Bears. Despite that, he leads all rookies in quarterback pressures with 35 before Sunday’s loss to the Packers.

Carter added another statement on X in response to the reports.

“When the hate don’t work, they start telling lies,” he said.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.