Abdul Carter’s NFL baptism came in a high-profile preseason clash with the Jets. The Giants’ first-round hopeful logged 19 snaps, recording just a tackle, after being blown up by Stone Smartt and then overwhelmed by Chukwuma Okorafor on a key sequence. The moment was sobering but not damning: preseason reps are training wheels, and Carter remained optimistic, stressing that the Giants won and that his full NFL game is coming soon.

For fantasy managers, the takeaway is twofold: raw potential remains, but the path to a meaningful role in a crowded Giants edge group will require adaptation under real-game pressure. Carter’s development will be watched closely as New York gears up for Thursday’s matchup with New England, hoping he can translate practice work into productive in-game rushes once he’s able to string together a full game.