Abdul Carter Faces Second Bench Decision, Stirring Up Concern Among Giants Fans
For the second time in just three weeks, New York Giants rookie outside linebacker Abdul Carter found himself benched by interim head coach Mike Kafka. This latest decision raised eyebrows among fans as it was described simply as a “coach’s decision,” unrelated to any injury concerns.
Carter, who was drafted third overall this year out of Penn State, sat on the sidelines for the entire first quarter during the Giants’ Monday Night Football matchup against the New England Patriots. Dressed in a coat, he observed as his team fell behind 17-0. This benching comes on the heels of a previous one; two weeks prior, he was sidelined for a single series against the 49ers after missing a walkthrough due to a scheduling mix-up while receiving treatment.
Team Rules Violation Leads to Bench Time
Reports indicate that this recent benching was triggered by another violation of team rules. While the specifics of the infraction remain unclear, it has prompted Kafka to take a firm stance, opting to keep Carter off the field for the entirety of the first quarter. He finally entered the game in the second quarter with the score at 17-7, but by then, the damage had been done.
Carter’s season has not unfolded as many expected. Once considered a frontrunner for the Defensive Rookie of the Year, he has struggled to make a significant impact on the field. So far, he has recorded just half a sack, which he achieved during a Week 1 loss to the Washington Commanders.
Promising Metrics Amid Disappointment
Despite his lack of sacks, statistics reveal that Carter has demonstrated potential. According to NFL+ data, he generated 24 quick pressures leading up to the Week 13 game, ranking him fourth among edge rushers and tying him for the seventh-most among rookies since 2018. His average time to pressure of 2.58 seconds is the third-fastest in the league and the quickest by a rookie since 2019, based on a minimum of 30 pressures.
After his first benching, Carter openly acknowledged his mistake and vowed to improve. Yet, the recurrence of issues has raised questions about his maturity and whether he may have skirted the rules prior to the Giants’ coaching change.
Uncertainty Surrounds Carter’s Future
As the Giants move forward, the spotlight is now on Carter. The implications of this second benching extend beyond just one game; it casts a shadow over his development as a player and his standing within the team. Giants fans are left wondering what this means for his future and how the organization will address these ongoing concerns. The narrative surrounding this rookie season has taken a troubling turn, and the Giants face critical decisions ahead.
