Giants Captain Calls Abdul Carter ‘Hard-Headed’ After Benching Vs. Patriots

Abdul Carter did not play the first quarter when the Giants traveled to the Patriots for a Week 13 matchup on Monday night.

The first-round rookie, who has now been benched in two of New York’s last three games, opted not to explain what happened after suffering a 33-15 loss at Gillette Stadium.

“I ain’t going to get into detail,” Carter told reporters, per SNY. “Like I said, (expletive) happens.”

When asked if it was warranted, Carter responded: “I let my team down today. First two drives I was out, they scored 17 points. I take responsibility for that. I got to be out there, I got to do better.”

Giants interim coach Mike Kafka called it a coach’s decision while captain Dexter Lawrence indicated it did not sit well with him or other members of the team.

“Just grow up, really,” Lawrence told reporters, per the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy. “I think he loves football and he takes it serious. His approach to the game is really good. Just young stuff that can’t happen.”

When asked about Carter not learning from his mistake a few weeks ago, Lawrence called Carter “hard-headed.”

“It’s definitely frustrating,” he said, “but you have to stay on him and help him learn from his mistake.”

The Patriots held a 17-0 lead after the first quarter after scoring 10 points against the Carter-less defense as well as one special teams touchdown.