FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — That’s two strikes for Giants rookie Abdul Carter.
Carter was benched Monday for the second time in three games under interim head coach Mike Kafka for a violation of team rules pertaining to missing all or part of a team responsibility, a league source told The Post.
Multiple sources said Carter’s tardiness has been a recurring trend during his rookie season, yet it does not appear that former head coach Brian Daboll disciplined him, unless a private fine was issued.
Other team sources have refuted that Carter has a habit of running late.
Carter sat the first quarter as the Patriots turned their two offensive possessions into 10 points.
Abdul Carter is pictured Nov. 2. AP
Only a punt return touchdown kept Carter from missing more plays on a third possession as the Giants fell behind 17-0.
Two weeks ago, Carter missed a 15-minute walk-through while he was in a red-light therapy bed in the training facility.
Carter adamantly denied that he was sleeping through the walk-through, claiming it was part of his recovery regimen.
“I made a mistake during the week that was detrimental to the team,” Carter said after that six-play, one-series benching. “I already know that whatever I do is going to have consequences. That was the consequence, have to live with it, keep playing.”
It appears no lesson was learned.
It was not immediately clear whether Carter skipped or was late to a meeting, a walk-through or a practice for his second public penalty.
The Giants confirmed to the ESPN broadcast that Carter’s benching was a “coach’s decision.”
Carter entered the game with just a half-sack in 12 games.
His benchings are coming at a particularly inopportune time, as Kayvon Thibodeaux is sidelined by injury, which has opened up a chance to start.
