EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) 鈥� Abdul Carter is eager to move past his public punishment.
The New York Giants’ rookie edge rusher for the first defensive series against Green Bay for missing a walk-through last week. Carter disputed that he was asleep inside the team facility, arguing he was doing recovery instead.
鈥淚 took ownership for it,鈥� Carter said Wednesday. 鈥淲e鈥檝e moved on from it. We鈥檙e focused on this week, so that鈥檚 what I鈥檓 trying to focus on.鈥�
is expected to be back in the starting lineup Sunday at Detroit, still looking for his first full sack in the NFL. After being a preseason favorite for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, he has just a half-sack to show for his first 11 professional games.
鈥淭he season鈥檚 not over yet,鈥� Carter said. 鈥淚 feel like it鈥檚 not about how you start, it鈥檚 about how you finish, so, I鈥檓 going to finish strong.鈥�
Carter has shown flashes of the talent that had him among the NCAA’s sack leaders in his final season at Penn State. The lack of production probably understates his impact, though he has not been as dominant as some expected right away.
鈥淚 feel like I鈥檓 learning as I go,鈥� Carter said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my first year. Obviously, there鈥檚 going to be new things that I have to learn and come through and approach and learn from, so that鈥檚 what I鈥檓 doing.鈥�
Kafka, who took over when on Nov. 10, thinks this has been another lesson for Carter.
鈥淗e practices his tail off, he plays his tail off (and) he鈥檚 continuing to learn and grow as a young player and I鈥檓 proud of him for how he鈥檚 handled these things,鈥� Kafka said. 鈥淚t hasn鈥檛 been an easy couple days, but I鈥檓 proud of him, and I think he鈥檚 earned a lot of respect in the locker room and will continue to grow and be a great teammate and learn from the things that he鈥檚 done.鈥�
Carter brushed off how tough the past few days have been, saying he’s 鈥渁 very privileged person, a very blessed person,鈥� who’s just trying to take advantage of his opportunities.
He also shrugged off the notion of numbers, with an eye toward winning is the most important thing. The Giants being 2-9 has not made this any easier on him at the start of this journey.
鈥淣obody likes to lose, but I feel like you鈥檝e got to learn from losing so you can win,鈥� Carter said. 鈥淣othing good comes easily. I like a challenge. I accept the challenge. Keep learning, keep getting better, and move forward.鈥�
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