Meeting at the Locker Room
Abdul Khater’s locker was a go-to spot for many, and he had an inkling about what was coming for him.
“Maybe we should stop doing this,” he remarked.
This conversation unfolded post-practice on Wednesday, with Carter drawing the crowd’s attention. Following an impressive debut season with the Giants, it was natural to expect fans would want to hear about his latest feats—be it a highlight play like a strip sack or a tackle for a loss. But that wasn’t the case. Carter was there to confront the issues that had led to a shaky start, all while trying to shake off the negativity from last season.
“It hasn’t been that hard for me. I’m a very blessed person,” Carter expressed, indicating that he was focused on making the most of the chance he had.
“Now that I’ve taken control, I’m stepping away from that and honing in on this week.”
At just 22, Carter ended up missing a brief morning walk on Friday. He had been in a red light therapy bed at the recovery room, unaware that he was expected on the field for a walkthrough due to a schedule shift orchestrated by Mike Kafka.
Kafka took the opportunity to discipline Carter publicly. This would’ve been his second NFL start, especially with Kayvon Thibodeau sidelined by a shoulder injury. As the starting defense took the field against the Packers, Tomon Fox, called up from the practice squad, took the outside linebacker position while Carter sat on the sidelines. After only six snaps, Kafka lifted the punishment and let Carter play the remainder of the defensive snaps.
Carter later addressed rumors on social media claiming he missed the walkthrough because he had been asleep.
“I want to say, Abdul has my full support. The coaches and players are all behind him,” a teammate commented. “He’s been working hard and continues to learn and develop as a young player. I’m proud of how he handled the situation.” It hadn’t been easy for Carter, but his respect within the locker room was evident.
With Thibodeau still out, Carter is likely to start on Sunday against Detroit.
Most veterans didn’t come down hard on Carter since his mistake wasn’t part of a pattern. “This was a one-off,” said Brian Burns. “Let’s treat it that way.” He described the experience as a “teaching moment” for Carter and kept his advice straightforward.
“Look, it happened. Now let’s focus on our upcoming game.” There was no need for extensive discussion afterward because Carter had always put in effort and hadn’t been lazy.
During warmups, Carter was his usual energetic self, stretching alongside teammates. Instead of merely walking to the line, he playfully sprinted back with a noticeable smile.
The rookie linebacker, drafted third overall, had made a mark with his first combined sack in the season opener, yet he hesitates to dwell on statistics. Despite having a couple of legal sacks erased due to penalties, his performance suggests otherwise—he has recorded 35 quarterback pressures, placing him 25th among edge rushers, while also ranking in the top 15 for quarterback hits.
The weight of high expectations looms especially heavy for a player of his caliber and talent. In the recent 27-20 loss against the Packers, he found himself in a crucial one-on-one situation against left tackle Rasheed Walker but couldn’t apply the necessary pressure, allowing the quarterback to connect on a significant pass that propelled the opponent toward a game-winning drive.
“I try not to get too bogged down by numbers. What matters more is how the team is performing,” Carter noted. “If we’re doing well, that’s a win for me too. When the team struggles, it feels off.”
Indeed, Carter seems to be under more scrutiny than most rookies. But he reassured, “I don’t see it as a problem. Everyone faces pressure; there are expectations placed on us all. I just need to do my job.”
