Abdul Carter Benched: Rookie's Sleepy Start & Giants' Discipline

The Incident: Oversleeping Leads to Benching

In a surprising move during a challenging 27-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants first-round pick Abdul Carter was benched for the opening series on Sunday, November 17th, 2025. The reason, according to multiple team sources, wasn't a performance issue but a disciplinary one: Carter was asleep at the team facility and missed a critical mid-week walkthrough. This incident marked the first time Carter has been publicly disciplined during his rookie season.

Discipline Under Interim Coach Kafka

The benching came under the watch of interim head coach Mike Kafka, who took over after the firing of former head coach Brian Daboll. Sources indicate that tardiness to meetings had been a recurring issue for Carter throughout the year under Daboll, who reportedly let it slide. Kafka, however, acting decisively in his first week on the job, implemented immediate consequences. Carter himself acknowledged the mistake: "I made a mistake during the week that was detrimental to the team. That was the consequence, so (I) had to live with it."

When pressed on the specific reason for the benching, Kafka declined to elaborate, stating it was a "coach's decision" and keeping the matter "in-house." He expressed his support for the young defensive end: "I love Abdul and what he brings to this team, the skill set he has... this guy loves ball. And 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." Kafka did confirm that Carter played his butt off and practiced his tail off, indicating the discipline wasn't a reflection of his work ethic in practice.

Impact on the Game and Carter's Role

The timing of the benching was particularly significant. With star edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux sidelined due to a shoulder injury, Carter was expected to step into a larger role as a starter. Instead, Tomon Fox took the first six defensive snaps. Carter's first snap of the game came on the punt return unit after the starting defense forced a punt on Green Bay's opening drive. Following his brief exile, Carter played the remaining 45 defensive snaps, primarily at his natural defensive end position in a larger-than-usual role.

Despite the increased playing time, the results were modest. Carter finished the game with just one tackle and one quarterback hit. His stats highlight a frustrating rookie campaign: only half a sack through 11 games, with 2.5 additional sacks nullified by penalties. While he's tied for 26th in the NFL with 35 pressures – suggesting disruption that doesn't always translate to the box score – his overall production has fallen short of the lofty expectations for the No. 3 overall pick out of Penn State.

Teammate Reaction and Moving Forward

Veteran defensive captain and team sack leader Brian Burns spoke with Carter after the incident. While Burns didn't view it as a major issue requiring a big meeting, he offered straightforward advice: "Stay in it. When you get your opportunity, show out. Just continue to study and be on your job." Burns noted Carter was "locked in" as he expected him to be during the game.

For Carter himself, the incident didn't feel like a groundbreaking lesson, but rather a reinforcement of existing expectations. "I already know. Whatever I do is going to have consequences... That was the consequence. Have to live with it. Keep playing," he stated.

The Giants, now 2-9 and clearly in a transition period under Kafka, are hoping this moment serves as a catalyst for Carter's development. His raw talent and pass-rush pedigree – highlighted by a top-half league pass-rush win rate – remain undeniable. The question now is whether the young phenom can consistently meet the professional demands that come with being a franchise cornerstone, both on and off the field. Kafka's decisive, if initially cryptic, approach to discipline sets a new tone, and Carter's response will be a key storyline as the Giants look towards a potentially franchise-altering offseason.