NFL News: Giants rookie on the bench for the 2nd time in 3 games

New York Giants rookie Abdul Carter and head coach Mike Kafka were misleading when asked why the former Penn State star was benched to start Monday’s game against the New England Patriots.

Carter, who had already seen some of his playing time wasted because he missed a team meeting, didn’t really go into detail after the game.

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“It happens,” Carter said when asked to comment on his second benching in three weeks.

“I’m not going into details. It happens,” he replied when asked again.

Carter didn’t seem to like being asked the question a third time as he referenced the other two comments he made on the matter.

GIANTS ROOKIE BLITZES REPORTS HE WAS DISCIPLINED FOR SLEEPING DURING TEAM MEETING

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, right, runs for a first down against New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter, left, during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka also hasn’t been very forthcoming about his reasons for benching Carter.

“It was coach’s decision, my decision,” Kafka said, adding that it was based on how things were going during the week. He denied that this was a disciplinary reason.

“It’s unfortunate but that’s kind of the way we worked this week.”

Carter had four tackles and a sack despite missing the first two series of the game. The Giants lost the game 33-15 and started the first half 30-7.

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The Patriots totaled 395 yards on offense and finished 6 of 13 on third downs. New York has yet to win a single away game, falling to 0-8 this season.