Chris Long Defended Giants Defensive End Abdul Carter
The former NFL veteran backed Carter amid ongoing debate over the value of sacks versus pressures.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Football
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Former professional player Chris Long has defended New York Giants defensive end Abdul Carter for his performance early in the 2026 season. Despite recording only one sack in four games, Carter remains a focal point for his high pressure rates.
Why it matters
Analysts increasingly view quarterback pressure as a more reliable and consistent metric of defensive performance than sack totals alone. The New York Giants defense has struggled to generate pass-rush consistency following key personnel injuries.
Abdul Carter recorded nine pressures during the Week 4 game against the Arizona Cardinals while tallying only one sack through four games. The entire New York Giants defense has accounted for just three total sacks during this same period.
The players
Chris Long
He is a former NFL player who recorded 70 sacks during his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, and St. Louis Rams.
Abdul Carter
He is a defensive end for the New York Giants who was selected third overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Cameron Jordan
He is an NFL defensive veteran who has recorded 137.5 sacks over the course of his professional career.
Brian Burns
He is a key pass-rush threat for the New York Giants who is sidelined for the remainder of the 2026 season with a knee injury.
Jaxson Dart
He is a player currently ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injury.
The details
Although Carter has only one sack, he generated nine pressures against the Arizona Cardinals to prove his utility on the field. The Giants defense continues to lack secondary pass-rush options due to the season-ending injuries of Brian Burns and Jaxson Dart.
Timeline
2025 NFL Draft: Giants selected Abdul Carter third overall.
July 2026: Cameron Jordan discussed the relative importance of sack totals.
2026 Week 4: Carter recorded nine pressures against the Arizona Cardinals.
October 8, 2026: The current report was published.
Season Trajectory
The Giants rely heavily on Carter to provide defensive production as injuries have depleted the team's depth in pass-rush threats. His ability to convert pressure into sacks will be critical to the team's standing for the remainder of the season.
Fantasy football owners should note that Carter's high pressure rate suggests potential for higher sack production in future games. The Giants' depleted roster means Carter will likely maintain high snap counts for the duration of the current season.
The takeaway
Quarterback pressures often serve as a leading indicator for defensive impact even when sack totals remain low. Evaluating players based on total disruption rather than singular statistical metrics provides a more accurate view of their contributions to a team.
Further reading
For more on the current state of professional football, see our Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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