Giants players fed up after Abdul Carter's second benching: 'Grow up'

New York Giants rookie outside linebacker Abdul Carter's repeated disciplinary issues have sparked frustration among teammates, culminating in a pointed rebuke from defensive captain Dexter Lawrence after the team's 33-15 loss to the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football.

Carter sat out the first two defensive series -- during which New England scored -- for reportedly missing part of a team responsibility, marking the second such benching in three weeks under interim head coach Mike Kafka.

Initial reports surfaced via social media, with beat writers later confirming the lapse as part of a "recurring theme" this season.

Kafka defended the move postgame, insisting, "That was a coach's decision. My decision."

Pressed on details, he added, "Just based on how we went during the week. Just that was the decision I wanted to make."

Softening disciplinary undertones, Kafka emphasized support.

"We have great communication, and he's one of my favorite players on the team, and that was one thing that we talked about, and it was my decision to not play him," he said. "This is a kid that I, again, I back, I support this kid highly, and for any young player that we have on the roster, whether it's Abdul or any rookie or young player, we're going to make sure we him under our wing and continue to develop these guys because they're important to us. They're important to me. Abdul is no different.

"The standard that we have in our program are sky high, and everyone is upheld to them. That was my decision, my decision only. Anything else outside of it is going to be kept in-house."

Carter's response drew scrutiny for its immaturity. When asked about the benching, he curtly replied, "S--t happens."

"I ain't going to get into detail," he said, repeating, "s--t happens."

Later, he took accountability.

"I have to be better. I have to take pride in what I do, be where I have to be at. Simple as that," he said.

Lawrence, echoing veteran exasperation, urged maturity:

"Just grow up, really. 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," he said, via the New York Post.

Lawrence called Carter "hard-headed" for repeating mistakes.

"It’s definitely frustrating," he said, "but you have to stay on him and help him learn from his mistake. You have to be a pro and know where you have to be and when you have to be there."

This follows Carter's prior benching against Green Bay for missing a walkthrough during recovery therapy -- not sleeping, as he clarified -- vowing then to "finish strong."

Despite the early benching, Carter notched his first full sack (1.5 on the season) upon return, but the lapses underscore growing pains for the high draft pick amid the Giants' 2-11 season

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants players fed up after Abdul Carter's second benching: 'Grow up'