Giants’ Abdul Carter benched for first quarter vs. Patriots

New York Giants pass rusher Abdul Carter did not play in the opening quarter of his team’s Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots. ESPN’s Laura Rutledge reported on the TV broadcast that she was told Carter’s absence should be classified as a “coach’s decision.”

Carter spent the Giants’ first defensive possession on the sidelines, wearing his helmet but also a big blue jacket typically worn by players between series or those not playing.

This is not the first time Carter has been benched this season. He also sat out the opening series of the Giants’ 27-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 11 because he missed a walk-through leading up to the game, according to team sources.

Carter admitted to missing the walkthrough, later telling ESPN, “My mistake was an honest mistake. I own the fact that it was an honest mistake. I was getting treatment, and I told (interim) coach (Mike) Kafka that, too.”

This story will be updated.