POISON APPLE

Eli Apple is the latest Giant to be suspended in this disaster of a season, but in retrospect this one felt inevitable.

Apple, the Giants’ first-round pick in 2016, has been a disappointment this season and has been at the center of plenty of drama that has unfolded at the team facility in East Rutherford. Here’s a look back at all of the trouble Apple has gotten himself into this year.

OCT. 8

Eli Apple sits out the first three series of the Giants’ game against the Chargers. Originally believed to be because of struggles on the field, it was later reported it was due to disciplinary reasons after he was speaking back to one of his coaches during a practice the week prior. After the game, a 27-22 loss, Apple made some peculiar comments to the media that the Giants’ “whole culture” needed to be fixed.

OCT. 30

Apple is one of three Giants who fails to arrive to the team’s first practice following its bye week. His absence is categorized as an excused absence.

NOV. 5

Apple fails to make a tackle on a third-and-33, which results in a Rams touchdown in a 51-17 blowout loss. NBC analyst Rodney Harrison said Apple “flat-out quit” on his teammates.

NOV. 19

Apple is inactive against the Chiefs after missing the previous two practices to be with his mother, Annie, who was undergoing brain surgery.

NOV. 23

Apple is surprisingly inactive again for the Giants’ Thanksgiving game against Washington. Ben McAdoo says it is because the firstround pick has not had enough practice reps.

NOV. 26

A report comes out that identifies Apple as the main culprit in McAdoo’s “brutally honest” film meeting following a Week 10 loss to the lowly 49ers. The report said Apple threatened to leave the facility after his lack of effort was put on display in front of the whole team.

DEC. 10

Apple is inactive for a fourth straight game despite earlier in the week saying he expects to play. The Giants lose 30-10 and Apple retweets an account that celebrates Cowboys running back Rod Smith’s 81-yard TD for “icing” the Giants.

DEC. 14

A day after Landon Collins said he had spoken with Apple about his struggles and maturity, Apple denied the two had ever had a conversation. When Collins was informed, he replied, “Is that what he said? I guess he don’t remember things.”

DEC. 24

Apple does not play a defensive snap in a 23-0 loss to the Cardinals and is relegated to seven snaps with special teams.

TUESDAY

Collins calls Apple a “cancer” and for the team to get rid of him in an interview with ESPN Radio.

WEDNESDAY

Collins apologizes to Apple, but Apple is suspended for conduct detrimental to the team following a reported dispute with coaches and blowing off the media, telling reporters he had to go “take a s--t” hours before his suspension was announced.