Rookie linebacker Abdul Carter, the Giants’ third overall pick in this year’s draft, has been making up for a rocky start with strong performances in recent weeks. In the Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders, Carter became the first rookie since 1999 to post at least seven tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in a single game. Impressive!
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But some concerns have surfaced, too, and they haven’t come out of nowhere. Earlier in December, before the matchup against New England, Carter began a Monday night game on the bench for the second time in three matchups due to tardiness. He was previously benched for the opening series against Green Bay after missing a walkthrough.
Naturally, when Carter shared a photo of himself roaming the Vegas Strip the night before the Giants’ Week 17 game against the Raiders on Sunday, fans immediately jumped to the worst conclusions. Including fears that another benching could be on the way.
Looks like Abdul Carter is exploring Las Vegas👀 pic.twitter.com/mw7sF2Lq7n
— GiantsMuse (@Giants_muse) December 28, 2025
“Good, plz stay there. We don’t want to win tmrw [sic],” a fan commented under the post, possibly hoping for a tanking outcome.
“Nah, bruh, go back to the hotel, u got a game in the a.m., don’t need u sitting out for a series,” a second said.
“Hasn’t he gotten in enough trouble already?” another asked, while one user said, “Hope he parties his ass off and has a hangover tomorrow, lol.”
Reports suggest that being late to meetings has been a recurring problem with Carter, something that former head coach Brian Daboll largely let slide. So it is not surprising that fans are frustrated.
Interim head coach Mike Kafka, however, wasted no time setting a different tone in the building. He benched Carter in his first week on the job.
That said, when you are playing for a 2-13 team, it is hard to fully fault a player like Abdul for blowing off some steam before games that are close to meaningless. If anything, losing the final two games would only help the Giants secure better draft picks.
In 15 games, Carter has posted 40 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and 54 total pressures, along with an 83.0 PFF pass-rush grade that ranks ninth. Barring anything unexpected, that production should take a big leap next season. Everyone knows Carter has the tools and ceiling of an All-Pro caliber player.
