Will Giants try to get Abdul Carter, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux on field at same time?

When the Giants drafted Abdul Carter this past spring, it was thought to create a good problem for defensive coordinator Shane Bowen: mixing in Carter with two established edge rushers.

Sunday gave a first glimpse of Carter being deployed with fellow linebackers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.

The results were surprising.

Thibodeaux got 52 of 70 snaps (74%), Burns got 47 (67%) and Carter had 38 (54%) plus five snaps on special teams with punt block coverage.

The trio totaled three sacks against the Commanders, with Burns recording two.

“You want to rotate those guys, try to keep them as fresh as you can,” Brian Daboll said Monday. “We knew that Abdul was going to be on that punt team and again, just trying to keep those guys as fresh as we can with the packages that we have.”

As the Giants prepare to face the Cowboys on Sunday and look to avoid an 0-2 start, it would appear the best strategy is to find more ways to get all three on the field at the same time. Carter, Burns and Thibodeaux played only eight snaps together.

Carter didn’t get the start, and playing just over half the defensive snaps felt limiting for a player whose promise has been touted endlessly. Burns’ and Thibodeaux’s usual snaps were reduced with Carter’s presence.

“It is a little different for me, you know, coming out of the game,” Burns said Sunday. “But I feel like it’s necessary at times. You want to keep fresh rushers out there to keep an eye and take down Jayden [Daniels, the Commanders’ quarterback].’’

Bowen said the Commanders’ uptempo offense dictated how he used his edge rushers to counteract Daniels’ mobility. That plan could evolve game to game.

“I think each week it’s something we’re going to look at just ways situationally that fit that we’re able to hopefully utilize those three guys,” Bowen said Thursday. “Whether it’s together, separately, but continue to evolve as we go. We’ll see where that goes.”

Bowen said Carter’s defensive snaps weren’t affected by his special teams work, but it was something to monitor with his play count.

Still, if the Giants’ goal is to unleash their stable of pass rushers, it would make sense to find ways to get all three on the field at the same time.

With linebacker Micah McFadden sidelined with a foot injury, Carter could get moved from the edge to off-ball linebacker, a role he played during his first two seasons at Penn State. That would free up Burns and Thibodeaux to play more on the edge.

Burns said he’s all for what the team needs more than feeding his ego. Carter, who was used in multiple roles last week, agreed.

“I control what I can control,” he said. “However I’m used, that’s up to the coaches. Whenever I’m out there, I’m gonna give my all, give 100% effort.”

It’s a luxury for Bowen to have multiple rushers who need to be used. But going forward, it’ll be key for him and Daboll to figure how to better take advantage of that depth.

“Any time we can get those three on the field, I think it’s beneficial for us in certain situations,” Bowen said. “It could be not very beneficial in other situations, just depending on how teams are attacking us at the time. Something we’ve got to continue to look at and make sure we find those opportunities when they’re there.”

n  McFadden to IR,

Gipson claimed off waivers

The Giants officially placed McFadden on injured reserve Thursday. It means he’ll miss at least the next four games with his foot injury.

As a corresponding move, the Giants claimed receiver/ kick returner Xavier Gipson off waivers Thursday. Gipson was released by the Jets on Wednesday after fumbling a kick return in the fourth quarter of the Jets’ loss to the Steelers last weekend.

n  Injury updates

Left tackle Andrew Thomas practiced Thursday as a limited participant. Daboll said Thomas did some team drills, which would’ve been his second time doing so in his rehab . . . Malik Nabers was a full participant Thursday after being limited Wednesday . . . DT Dexter Lawrence returned to practice after being with his wife and newborn daughter . . . WR Wan’Dale Robinson (ankle) was limited after being held out Wednesday. WR Darius Slayton (groin) and DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches (foot) also were limited. LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles did not practice after suffering a calf injury Wednesday.