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WEEK 6
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Giants’ Abdul Carter misses Wednesday practice with calf injury; John Harbaugh says he is “doing well”

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The second-year pass rusher sat out the first practice of Saints week after a sack and a forced fumble in the tie with Washington.

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WhyNFL Sports DeskPublished
Giants head coach John Harbaugh in a white Giants cap speaking at a news conference in front of a blue sponsor backdrop
Giants head coach John Harbaugh at his news conference on October 14, 2026. Image: SNY / YouTube.

New York Giants outside linebacker Abdul Carter did not practice on Wednesday as the team opened its week of preparation for Sunday’s home game against the New Orleans Saints. The club listed him with a calf injury on its first injury report of the week.

Head coach John Harbaugh kept his update short. He said Carter is “doing well” and gave no further detail on the injury or on whether it puts Sunday in doubt.

Coming off a sack in Washington

The calf problem shows up right after one of Carter’s more productive games of the season. He had five tackles, a sack of Jayden Daniels and a forced fumble in Sunday’s 27-27 overtime tie with the Washington Commanders. That brought him to two sacks and a forced fumble this season, his second in the league after the Giants made him the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 draft out of Penn State.

The Giants need him on the field. Brian Burns has been on injured reserve since September 29, which has made Carter the centerpiece of the pass rush. The club has since added depth on the edge, signing Jihad Ward off the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad earlier this month and adding veteran Dawuane Smoot to its own practice squad on Tuesday.

A long list after the tie

Carter was one of five Giants who did not practice. Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (calf), left tackle Andrew Thomas (groin), rookie cornerback Colton Hood (concussion) and safety Tyler Nubin (neck) also sat out. Eluemunor, Hood and Nubin were all hurt in Sunday’s game, and Harbaugh said Monday that the three would be day to day.

Tight end Theo Johnson (neck), wide receiver Darnell Mooney (neck), cornerback Greg Newsome II (groin) and safety Jason Pinnock (concussion) were limited. Running back Najee Harris (ribs), tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) and defensive back Elijah Campbell (thumb) were full participants.

What comes next

The Giants are 3-1-1 and lead the NFC East. The Saints are 1-4 and have lost three straight. Kickoff at MetLife Stadium is Sunday, October 18, at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Whether Carter returns to the practice field on Thursday will be the first real sign of his availability.

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