Giants announce CB Eli Apple suspended for final game of season

Shalise Manza Young
·Columnist

Eli Apple’s second season with the New York Giants is over.

The team announced on Wednesday that it has decided to suspend him for the final game of the season, Sunday against the Washington Redskins.

It’s the last act in a tumultuous season for the second-year cornerback, which has seen him benched for poor play, family turmoil, and, this week, one of his teammates call him a cancer during a radio interview.

A story posted on the Giants website said that Apple had a meeting with interim general manager Kevin Abrams and interim head coach on Wednesday afternoon, where the duo told him about the suspension.

Down – and out: the New York Giants announced on Wednesday that CB Eli Apple (R) is suspended for the final game of the season. (AP)
Down – and out: the New York Giants announced on Wednesday that CB Eli Apple (R) is suspended for the final game of the season. (AP)

“We have suspended Eli for a pattern of behavior that is conduct detrimental to the team,” Abrams said.

There were no further details on what behavior Apple engaged in, though he reportedly argued with coaches, including his position coach, Tim Walton. ESPN reported that teammates restrained Apple from going after Walton. He then refused to take to the practice field with the scout team.

And his conduct with media on Wednesday may have played a role: according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, when approached by reporters about Collins’ comments, Apple loudly said, “I gotta take a [expletive]!” and walked away, not to return during the open locker room period.

Apple played 11 games this season, including last week against the Cardinals. But in that game, he only played special teams, not seeing any snaps at cornerback.