Giants suspend Eli Apple for Week 17

The New York Giants suspended embattled second-year cornerback Eli Apple for the final game of the season, the team announced.

"We have suspended Eli for a pattern of behavior that is conduct detrimental to the team," interim general manager Kevin Abrams said.

The discipline was handed out, in part, because of Apple's refusal to practice with the scout team Wednesday, a source told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Afterward, Apple got into a heated exchange with one of the Giants' coaches, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Apple was notified of the suspension Wednesday in a meeting with Abrams and interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo. Meanwhile, Giants safety Landon Collins, who called Apple a "cancer" during a radio interview a day earlier, tweeted an apology for the remark early in the afternoon.

Apple has struggled to fit in with the Giants since being drafted 10th overall last year. He's repeatedly rubbed teammates and staff the wrong way, and was previously deactivated for four straight games before returning in Week 15.