New York Giants make running back Cam Skattebo pay for his mistakes by reducing his role heading into Week 6 vs. Saints
Cam Skattebo has had fumbling and efficiency issues so far in 2026 and it’s going to cost him some playing time against the Saints. We’ll see if this lingers into the rest of the season or if it’s just a one time deal.
Cam Skattebo is an important part of the New York Giants’ 3-1-1 start, but his fumbling issues have caught up to him heading into Week 6.
Per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, the Giants are expected to change up the running back rotation against the New Orleans Saints. Cam Skattebo will still be part of the Giants’ rushing attack, but veteran Najee Harris will factor more into the mix. Raanan also noted that Devin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy Jr. should be active, as well, which gives the Giants all four options at running back.
Skattebo is currently tied with Buffalo Bills running back James Cook for the most fumbles so far this year. It’s been a major talking point all week long amongst head coach John Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, and Skattebo himself.
“[I] love the guy to death. I know how much he cares,” Nagy told reporters during the week. “I know how much he wants it. Everyone here is seeing what this NFL has become right now with that peanut punch. It’s across the board. They’re being taught to punch the ball out, and obviously in that situation, Skatt knows more than anybody that we can’t have that happen, and it’s just unacceptable.
“He knows that, but that cannot happen again, and it’s not going to happen.”
On top of the fumbles, Cam Skattebo is only averaging 3.6 yards per carry in his second year with the Giants. He’s yet to eclipse 81 yards in a single game since doing it in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys and he also hasn’t scored a rushing touchdown since then. He’s rarely factored into the passing game, as well, recording just 10 receptions for 79 yards through the first five games.
Harris himself has just 97 yards on 27 carries, which comes out to a 3.6 yards per carry average, too. However, his 51.9% success rate is much better than Skattebo’s 45.7% rate, signaling a much more efficient runner when on the field.
Either way, Harris rushed for more than 1,000 yards and six touchdowns in each of his four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers before suffering an Achilles injury with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025. Meaning, he’s shown he can carry a rushing attack when healthy, which the Giants are hoping translates in Week 6.
This is why the Giants brought in Harbaugh: to lay down the law and make sure the culture stays on the right course. Taking snaps away from one of your best players because they are making too many mistakes tells the whole team that everyone is held at a high standard and are expected to play as such.
Skattebo’s response will be something to monitor and we’ll see if he works his way back up to top running back status in 2026.
