When the New York Giants took the field for their first defensive series of Sunday’s Week 11 loss to the Green Bay Packers, rookie linebacker Abdul Carter was nowhere to be found.
Carter was expected to start in place of an injured Kavon Thibodeaux, but it was ultimately Tamon Fox who played the Giants’ first six snaps on defense.
Carter was benched for missing a team walk-through in Week 11. On Monday, reports indicated that the No. 3 overall pick missed the walk-through because he was asleep at team facilities.
Carter vehemently denied these reports in a conversation with ESPN on Tuesday. The rookie linebacker said he didn’t realize interim head coach Mike Kafka had changed the practice time, and missed the session while in treatment.
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Carter said he FaceTimed Kafka later in the day to discuss his absence.
“My mistake was an honest mistake,” Carter said. “I own the fact that it was an honest mistake. I was getting treatment and I told Coach Kafka that, too. But to say I was sleeping at that time just wasn’t true. And it also wasn’t a trend. This was the only time it happened.”
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The 22-year-old rookie believes his character was called into question with what he claims are false reports about him sleeping through the walk-through.
“I don’t want anonymous sources to say these types of things about me that are untrue,” Carter added. “I did make a mistake, and I own up to what I did.”
Through 11 game appearances in his debut NFL season, Carter has 23 total tackles, nine QB hits, one tackle for loss and one fumble recovery.
The 2-9 Giants will look to get their 2025 season back on track in a matchup against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
