EAST RUTHERFORD — If you were making a list of key objectives for the Giants in the final month of this miserable season, you’d start with keeping Jaxson Dart healthy and continuing to develop the rookie quarterback. Not far down the list — and perhaps of the utmost important on defense — is tapping into Abdul Carter’s potential. It’s been a tumultuous season for the rookie outside linebacker. He entered Sunday’s game against the Commanders with only 1.5 sacks in 13 games. He was benched for parts of games against the Packers and Patriots because he missed team meetings. Bust is a strong label, but it’s gotten to the point where you start to question if the Penn State product was worth the No. 3 overall pick. Sacks aren’t everything; Carter has also been racking up QB pressures. But the lack of game-changing plays, along with maturity issues. Carter alleviated those concerns by responding against Washington with seven tackles, three tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one sack. The Giants fell at MetLife Stadium, 29-21, for their eighth straight loss, but Carter stood out more than defensive player on the field and looked rejuvenated coming out of the bye week. “It means a lot,” Carter said. “I feel like it was a statement, but it would’ve been more satisfying if we got the win.” When asked what he saw from Carter in practice this past week, defensive tackle and team captain Dexter Lawrence said, “Just taking responsibility.” “His ceiling is through the roof,” Lawrence continued. “It’s a lot (that goes) into this game, and us as vets got to help him understand that and teach him that. So I think he’s just got to keep going, keep trusting the process and not growing weary of it and just keep going.” Carter said it helped that he came into the Giants’ facility earlier than usual during the week and spent more time watching film and talking with coaches. Some teammates called him out after his off-field issues, so he felt that he needed to step up. “I would say just me being a better teammate, trusting the guys around me, them trusting me more,” Carter said. “I just felt good just coming out here.” After not playing in the first quarter in New England, Carter stuffed running back Jeremy McNichols for a 1-yard loss on the first play of the game. He also drew a holding penalty on that drive, then came flying off Washington’s right edge for a strip-sack of quarterback Marcus Mariota on the Commanders’ second drive. Carter set a new career high for tackles in the first half alone with six. He had only one in the second half, but it was huge as he ripped the ball away from McNichols to give the Giants a chance down by eight points with 2:38 left in the fourth quarter. Carter ran with the ball and lateraled the ball to cornerback Paulson Adebo, who then lateraled it to safety Jevon Holland for a 23-yard return, but the officials ruled that Carter was down. “I can’t wait to watch it (on film),” Carter said. “I wish I scored.” Of course, it came in another losing effort as collectively the Giants’ defense and special teams were putrid again. The Commanders were without their starting quarterback, their starting tight end and their top-two running backs, and they were coming off a 31-0 loss to the Vikings. Yet they sliced through the Giants like the Greatest Show on Turf with touchdowns on a 16-yard run and a 51-yard pass. They also had a 63-yard punt return touchdown, while the Giants missed two field goals. Same old story for this floundering franchise. If there any doubt that Joe Schoen is cooked as the general manager, there shouldn’t be now. The Giants have fired their head coach, defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, and yet the same roster issues persisted even against a bad opponent. Still, if you’re a Giants fan looking for something to hang your hat on going into next season, Sunday was at least a coming-out party for Carter. Lawrence put it best: It was just one game, and the key is for Carter to continue dominating. “Greatness is doing it over weeks — being consistent — and that’s what he can get to,” Lawrence said. “He’s just got to stick with the process and understand who he is and keep that approach to the game every week.” Carter sounds determined to make that happen with three games left in the season. “I definitely want to finish strong,” Carter said. “That’s what I’m doing with these last couple weeks — making sure I’m gonna do everything possible to finish strong.” Greg Johnson covers the New York Giants and NFL for MediaNews Group. Reach him at [email protected]. ...read more read less