Giants Rookie Carter Benched for Missing Walkthrough vs. Packers

New York Giants rookie edge rusher Abdul Carter sat out the opening defensive series of Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium, a decision interim head coach Mike Kafka attributed to a team infraction during the week. The third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft missed a walkthrough practice while asleep at the team facility, sources confirmed, marking the first disciplinary action under Kafka's watch following the firing of former head coach Brian Daboll.

Carter, who entered the game on the Giants' second defensive possession, played every snap thereafter but recorded limited production: one tackle, one quarterback hit and two pressures. The absence was particularly notable given that starting edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux was sidelined with a shoulder injury, thrusting the 21-year-old former Penn State standout into an expanded role. Instead, the Giants turned to Tomon Fox, a veteran who had been cut during training camp, to start alongside Brian Burns.

In his postgame remarks, Carter acknowledged the mistake without elaborating on details. "I made a mistake during the week that was detrimental to the team," he said. "That was the consequence, so I had...