When the New York Giants took the field for their first defensive series on ‘Monday Night Football’ against the New England Patriots, first-round rookie Abdul Carter remained on the sidelines.
The Penn State product was once again expected to take on a larger role for the Giants with Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder) out of action. Instead, Carter sat on the bench in an oversized coat for New York’s first two defensive series, during which the Giants surrendered 10 points and fell behind 17-0.
Carter’s benching marked his second in a three-game span. Giants interim coach Mike Kafka benched him for the first defensive series of the team’s Nov. 16 game against the Green Bay Packers after the No. 3 overall pick missed a walkthrough while in a recovery bed.
Carter disputed reports he napped through a team activity and insisted the treatment was part of his training.
But what led the Giants to bench Carter early in their ‘Monday Night Football’ game against the Patriots? Here’s what to know about the 22-year-old’s latest benching.
Why was Abdul Carter benched on ‘Monday Night Football’?
Giants interim coach Mike Kafka did not provide a detailed explanation about Carter’s benching when asked about it postgame.
‘Just based on how we went during the week, that was a decision I wanted to make,’ Kafka said.
Kafka went on to repeat that Carter’s benching was ‘my decision’ 11 times during his availability, per USA TODAY Sports’ Chris Bumbaca. That included when the 38-year-old coach was pressed on whether there were any disciplinary reasons for the first-round rookie sitting out the first two series.
‘The standards that we have in our program are sky-high and everyone’s upheld to them, but that was my decision. My decision only,’ Kafka said. ‘Anything else outside of it, it’s gonna be kept in house.’
What Abdul Carter said about being benched on ‘MNF’
After the game, Carter told reporters ‘(expletive) happens’ when asked about his benching and was focused about moving forward in its wake.
‘Like I said, I have to be better,’ Carter told reporters. ‘I have to take pride in what I do, be where I have to be at. Simple as that.’
Kafka offered his full support of Carter despite the benching. He praised the impact the 22-year-old made upon coming into the game, during which the No. 3 overall pick logged four tackles and the first full sack of his career.
‘Again, those are tough decisions to make, but that was my decision and, again, the kid, nothing with him,’ Kafka said. ‘Everything that we did was my decision and obviously I’m sure he wasn’t happy about it, which I understand, but I thought that was the best thing for the team and it was my decision to move forward with it and that’s where we’re at.’