Abdul Carter chooses his first Giants number — now let’s see if it lasts

Abdul Carter chooses his first Giants number — now let’s see if it lasts

The number saga nobody asked for is — at least temporarily — over.

Abdul Carter isn’t taking a number off the Giants’ ring of honor. Rather, he’ll wear No. 51 at rookie camp, taking a numeral worn by Azeez Ojulari, Kyler Fackrell and Zak DeOssie in recent years.

While this doesn’t necessarily mean Carter will wear 51 during the season, since rookie camp numbers are subject to change, it certainly looks like a signal that he’s taken the hint in terms of asking Giants legends to unretire their numbers for him.

The No. 3 overall pick first asked to wear No. 56, which no Giant has worn since Lawrence Taylor.

After Taylor publicly turned him down, Phil Simms offered No. 11. Simms, however, was voted down by his family.

Abdul Carter, Penn State defensive end, celebrating after being selected by the New York Giants during the 2025 NFL Draft.
Abdul Carter celebrates during 2025 NFL Draft. AP

“I know he would love to wear that number, but hey, I think it’s retired,” Taylor exclusively told The Post’s Steve Serby on Carter’s ask for 56. “Get another number. I don’t care if it’s double zero, and then make it famous.”

The Giants brought No. 1 out of retirement last season when Ray Flaherty’s son allowed Malik Nabers to wear the number.

That opened a door the Giants might rather have kept closed, as Carter has taken public criticism over the situation.

The Penn State product is set to join a defensive group that ranked 24th in yardage last season and could use some help.

Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter, wearing No. 11, preparing to sack Maryland quarterback MJ Morris during a college football game
Abdul Carter wore No. 11 at Penn State. AP

“I would say keep going, man. Let it be fuel to your fire,” Kayvon Thibodeaux told The Post earlier this week when asked about the noise relating to Carter’s jersey number. “Don’t get distracted by it. I think this is just the start. There’s a lot of ups and downs in this league.”

Now it looks like Carter can finally put this behind him and try to put 51 alongside 56 in Giants lore.

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