NFL News: Giants rookie benched for second time in 3 games

New York Giants rookie pass rusher Abdul Carter and head coach Mike Kafka deceived when asked why the former Penn State standout 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 go into too much detail after the game.

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“There’s something going on,” Carter said when asked to comment on his second benching in three weeks.

“I’m not going to go into details. Something’s going on,” he responded when asked again.

Carter didn’t seem to like being asked a third time, as he referred to 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 on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka also wasn’t very forthcoming about the reasoning for benching Carter.

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

“It’s unfortunate, but that’s how 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 down 30-7.

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The Patriots had 395 total yards of offense and were 6 of 13 on third downs. New York has yet to win a road game, falling to 0-8 this season.