By STEPHEN WHYNO, AP Sports Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Mike Kafka’s debut as interim coach of the New York Giants started with him disciplining Abdul Carter by benching the rookie pass rusher for the first defensive series.

Kafka called it a coach’s decision and declined to reveal what caused the punishment.

“It was my decision,” Kafka said after a 27-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. “We’ll keep the rest of that in house.”

Carter told reporters in the locker room he made a mistake during the week without specifying what it was, other than saying he knows actions have consequences. He got his first snap 6 1/2 minutes in on special teams as part of the Giants’ punt coverage unit.

“It’s just professional,” said veteran linebacker Brian Burns, who had two sacks

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