This week continues to get worse for the New York giants and their fans. After losing to the winless L.A. Chargers, going 0-5, and losing four wide receivers to injury in one day, the drama continues. The team announced Wednesday that veteran cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was suspended for "leaving the team."
“He came in today, decided to leave. For that we will suspend him,” head coach Ben McAdoo said in his Wednesday press conference.
It took the organization a day to declare the length of the suspension. After DRC returned to the facility and met with both McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese, he was informed that he is suspended indefinitely.
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport tweeted out Thursday morning that the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) maximum is four weeks.
What happened?
In his weekly press conference Wednesday, McAdoo told reporters that DRC was suspended for his actions during the week. He said that he and DRC had a conversation Tuesday that was "personal" but he did not go into detail. When reporters asked the reason for the suspension and the length of it, McAdoo responded with "That's all I have for you."
However, Giants' safety Landon Collins claimed Wednesday that Rodgers-Cromartie didn't leave but was suspended by McAdoo following an argument. Collins said that the disagreement started Sunday before halftime of the Giants and Chargers matchup.
Sure enough, reports have come out that there was a "heated argument" between DRC and McAdoo on the sidelines during Sunday's loss. Rapoport reported that the blowup was due to DRC being pulled from the game.
Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reported that McAdoo and DRC's "personal" conversation on Tuesday was McAdoo telling the cornerback that he'd be inactive for Sunday night's primetime game in Denver due to the incident on the sideline during game five.
Leonard reported that DRC was not happy with his coach's decision and that is why he left the facility -- which resulted in the suspension.
DRC tells his side
After the news broke of the suspension, ESPN's Josina Anderson tweeted quotes from her conversation with Rodgers-Cromartie. He told Anderson that he "handled things the wrong way."
#NYG CB DRC cont 2me:
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 11, 2017
"but to sit me a game had me hot, so I left. I was suspended way before I left. I left bc I felt what he said was BS."
The texts between Anderson and DRC continued with her asking if he will return to the team.
He responded, "Yes I am. Tomorrow."
He did return, however, he most likely was not expecting the indefinite suspension.
What's next?
DRC can appeal his suspension through the player's union if he chooses to. In the meantime, the Giants tweeted that they signed rookie cornerback Donte Deayon from the practice squad to take over DRC's place on the 53-man roster. Deayon impressed in the preseason with six tackles -- four solo -- and an interception returned 36 yards for a touchdown against the Jets. Whether or not DRC appeals, McAdoo needs to gain control of his team before things get worse, both on the field and in the locker room. They have to go up against a Broncos team coming off of a bye on national TV no less.
