New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple was suspended for the final game of the 2017-2018 NFL season.
General manager Kevin Abrams and interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo notified him.
“We have suspended Eli for a pattern of behavior that is conduct detrimental to the team,” Abrams said.
He apparently argued with coaches, including position coach Tim Walton. ESPN reported that Giants teammates restrained Apple from going after Walton. He also refused to go on the practice field with the scout team.
“There is only one corner who needs to grow up and we all know who that is,” Collins said. “That would be the only person I would change out of our secondary group. Besides, the other two guys, [Rodgers-Cromarie] and [Jenkins], I love those two guys. They play hard. They love what they do. That first pick. . . . He’s a cancer.”
Collins later apologized for the remarks, according to reports.
Coach Spagnuolo also said that he, Collins, and Apple had “a conversation.”
“(Landon and I) had a quick conversation this morning and then I had a quick conversation with Eli,” said Spagnuolo, according to the team website. “And then all three of us had a really good conversation and it was very productive and I’ll just leave it at that. It’s between them and they were really great.”
Apple’s half-brother, Dane Blackson, meanwhile, came to the player’s defense.