During the New York Giants first defensive series, No. 3 overall pick and former Penn State star Abdul Carter was benched for what interim head coach Mike Kafka described as a “coach’s decision.”
When pressed on the matter after the game, Kafka reiterated it was a coach’s decision and he wouldn’t get into the details that led to Carter being benched. “That was a coach’s decision. It was my decision – we’ll keep the rest of that in house,” Kafka said.
Carter, meanwhile, was also mum on the benching. “I made a mistake during the week that was detrimental to the team,” Carter said. “That was the consequence of it. Got to live with it.”
While Kafka and Carter downplayed the benching after the game, a new report emerged on Monday morning suggesting Carter was benched because he “was asleep in the team facility at the time of the walk-through,” according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic.
Carter’s tardiness at team meetings was accordingly a “trend” that fired head coach Brian Daboll let slide. The rookie linebacker saw the report from Duggan and offered some clarity. “Was not sleep, actually doing recovery. Nonetheless that's on ME!” he said on social media before offering a more cryptic message.
“When the hate don't work they start telling lies!” he said.
Despite the punishment, Kafka remains hopeful of Carter’s ability.
“I love Abdul and what he brings to this team,” Kafka said. “The skill set he has, this guy loves ball. I’m excited to watch him attack this week of practice and continue to work and grow and be the great player that I think he is.”
The rookie has just 23 tackles and 0.5 sacks on the season.
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