The New York Giants released their final injury update on Friday, October 17, ahead of the Week 7 matchup with the Denver Broncos, and it included unexpected news that rookie pass rusher Abdul Carter will be “questionable” for the outing.
“Three Giants are out, including [center] John Michael Schmitz (concussion),” ESPN’s Jordan Raanan relayed on Friday afternoon. “WR Darius Slayton (hamstring) is also doubtful and OLB Abdul Carter (hamstring) [is] questionable.”
Although Carter is dealing with a hamstring issue, which are notoriously tricky, New York Post beat reporter Ryan Dunleavy provided a telling update on the Giants phenom just after the announcement.
“Abdul Carter being questionable is significant news for [the] Giants,” Dunleavy noted. Before adding: “That said, I spoke to him today and his message was that things will be settled on the field in Denver, so he didn’t sound like someone who will not play.”
The current expectation is that Carter will suit up in Week 7, but the same can’t be said about a few other Giants injuries.
3 Giants Ruled Out for Week 7 vs. Broncos
Along with Schmitz, linebackers Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (hamstring) and Swayze Bozeman (ankle) will both miss Week 7 against the Broncos, officially.
Out: ▪️LB Swayze Bozeman (Ankle) ▪️LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (Hamstring) ▪️C John Michael Schmitz (Concussion)
Doubtful: ▪️DL Chauncey Golston (Neck) ▪️WR Darius Slayton (Hamstring)
Questionable: ▪️OLB Abdul Carter (Hamstring) ▪️OLB Victor
Defensive lineman Chauncey Golston (neck) is also doubtful to play in Denver, just like Slayton. Even if Carter and injury returnee Victor Dimukeje (pectoral) are both active on Sunday, the Giants could be without five members of their roster.
So, the Week 7 injury concerns are significant. Schmitz and Slayton are the key absences, but Golston is another veteran role player who would be missed on defense.
With Schmitz out, the Giants could roll with backup IOL Austin Schlottmann at center, similar to Week 6. However, another option would be to shift right guard Greg Van Roten to center and start someone like Aaron Stinnie, Marcus Mbow, or Evan Neal at guard.
At wide receiver, the likeliest replacement for Slayton would be veteran Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who was elevated to fill in for the veteran starter last week. The Broncos would be a “revenge game” for Humphrey, who appeared in 34 games with Denver from 2023 through 2024.
Giants Insider Shares Telling Update on Abdul Carter Amid Injury Concerns