Giants rookie Abdul Carter benched again, this time in loss to Patriots, over coach's decision: 'S**t happens'

Abdul Carter was benched again on Monday night, and he’s not happy about it.

The New York Giants rookie defensive end sat out the first two drives in their 33-15 loss to the New England Patriots on Monday due to what interim head coach Mike Kafka said was simply a “coach’s decision.” Kafka didn’t elaborate when pressed by reporters despite this now being the second such incident already this season.

Carter got a little heated when speaking with reporters and also didn’t provide an explanation for his benching. But he did not place any blame on Kafka, and said it was on him.

Watching the first two drives from the sidelines, he said, was “sickening.”

“S**t happens,” Carter told a group of reporters after the game. "I ain’t gonna get into detail, but s**t happens.”

Carter entered the game on the Giants’ first defensive series of the second quarter, and quickly sacked Patriots quarterback Drake May on that drive. But by then, the Giants were already in a deep hole. New England kicked a field goal, ran back a punt 94 yards for a touchdown and then completed a quick five-play touchdown drive to take a 17-0 lead with Carter watching from the sidelines.

From there, the Patriots simply cruised to the 18-point win. It marked their 10th straight.

“I let my team down today,” Carter said. “The first two drives I was out, they scored 17 points. I take responsibility for that. I’ve got to be out there, I’ve got to do better.”

The Giants selected Carter with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft this past spring out of Penn State. He was benched for the opening drive of their game with the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 16, too, because he missed a walkthrough earlier in the week. Carter said later that he was getting treatment, not sleeping in like some reports initially suggested, and took accountability for the mistake.

Carter now has 31 total tackles and 1.5 sacks this season. The Giants have now lost seven straight and sit at just 2-11. They’ve been eliminated from playoff contention for a third straight season.

“It hasn’t been the best,” Carter said of the last few weeks. “But like I said, I’ve got to keep moving on, keep persevering. I’ll be alright … I’ve got to be better. I've got to take pride in what I do, be where I have to be at. Simple as that.”