Set up to make his first true NFL splash, Abdul Carter was nowhere to be found when the Giants defense first took the field.
Carter was benched by interim head coach Mike Kafka for unspecified reasons and sat out the first six-play defensive series before logging every snap the rest of the game Sunday in a 27-20 loss to the Packers.
“I made a mistake during the week that was detrimental to the team,” Carter said after the game. “I already know that whatever I do have is going to have consequences. That was the consequence, have to live with it, keep playing.”
The popular preseason pick for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year has a half-sack to show for his first 11 NFL games. He was forced into a bigger role Sunday — at home on the edge instead of shifting around formations because Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder) was sidelined — but finished with one tackle and one quarterback hit.
“He was locked in how I expect him to be,” said edge Brian Burns, a co-captain who added that he discussed Carter’s transgression with him. “Nothing really besides the regular: Stay in it. When you get your opportunity, show out. Just continue to study and be on your job.”
Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass under pressure from New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Carter watched his Penn State mentor, Micah Parsons, who was checked for most of the game by right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, come up with a split sack on a key fourth down and end the game with a strip sack before Jameis Winston could throw a Hail Mary.
Benching Carter was a bold showing by Kafka on the heels of the fired Brian Daboll, whose path to discipline usually was less visible in terms of fines. It took repeat offenses of noticeable lack of effort for Daboll to pull players off the field.
“It was my decision,” Kafka said. “We’ll keep the rest of that in-house.”
But Kafka was nothing but positive in his review of Carter.
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Abdul Carter of the New York Giants Getty Images
“He played his butt off. He practiced his tail off,” Kafka said. “I’m really happy about Abdul and excited to watch him continue to grow and continue to play a lot more as a pro … and be the great player that I think he is.”
The Giants blew a fourth-quarter lead (20-19) for the fourth time this season. The turning point was a 33-yard completion on third-and-10 to extend the game-winning 65-yard touchdown drive.
“That’s a point in the game where our best players have to step up. I have to step up,” Carter said. “And we didn’t today. In those situations, I have to make that play.”
The Giants turned to Tomon Fox, who has two career sacks in 32 games, to start over Carter.
“It’s a good thing, for sure,” safety Jevón Holland said in terms of Kafka setting accountability. “It’s not something you really focus on. Next man up. Tomon came in and played really well.”