New York Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter endured his first ‘Welcome to the NFL’ moment during the team’s 31-12 Week 2 preseason win over the New York Jets.
Carter was attempting to get off the line quick to rush the passer when tight end Stone Smartt came at him with a strong chip block. Smartt’s blow de-cleated Carter, who tried to get up before being knocked down again by veteran offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor.
The clip of Carter being thrown to the ground quickly became a viral highlight on social media, as the NFL’s official accounts shared the clip.
Carter appeared miffed the lowlight made the rounds. He lamented the knockdown had drawn so much attention in a social media post but also used the clip’s fame as an opportunity to take a shot at the Giants’ cross-town rivalry.
‘Might be the only highlight of the Jets all season,’ Carter wrote in a post to social media, before criticizing Smartt’s ‘weak a– chip.’
Carter will be hoping to replace his lowlight with a highlight that better shows his ceiling. The No. 3 overall pick has logged two total tackles in limited preseason action thus far in 2025.
Pro Football Focus graded Carter’s debut, during which he generated three hurries on three pass rushing snaps, as an 82.2 overall. His second game, during which Smartt trucked him, saw him earn a much lower mark of 46.9.
