The Giants relied heavily on their physical approach against Dallas, and Skattebo was one of the biggest beneficiaries. He found room to run behind an offensive line that consistently attacked downhill and worked to reach the second level against the Cowboys’ defense.

However, Skattebo also knows the group cannot be satisfied after just one game. While he praised the offensive line’s overall performance, the running back acknowledged that there were several plays where the execution was not where it needed to be.

Cam Skattebo praises Giants offensive line

Cam Skattebo was asked about his experience running behind the Giants’ offensive line against Dallas and made it clear that he enjoyed the physical style New York brought to the game. He also credited the blockers for doing their jobs and creating opportunities for the running backs.

“I was pleased. It was physical. It was downhill. I enjoyed it. I’m not too sore. The guys up front did their job. They took care of the four down guys and then got to the next level and did a good job doing that. So, I was pleased with it.”

That praise is significant because the Giants are trying to establish a more physical identity under John Harbaugh. Skattebo’s running style fits naturally into that approach, and the RB clearly appreciated the way the offensive line attacked the Cowboys’ defensive front.

Still, Skattebo did not pretend everything was perfect. Even after describing the performance as a positive one, he acknowledged that there were moments when the Giants’ execution broke down and left him wondering what had happened on a particular play.

Giants O-line has room to improve

Cam Skattebo was particularly candid when discussing those mistakes, making it clear that he believes the offensive line can become even better as the season progresses.

“I know we can get better. There were some plays where like, ‘Holy cow, what are we doing?’ But those guys, they’re professionals. They’re going to fix it. They’re going to get better. I’m going to fix my track. I’m going to get better at my stuff. I mean, they did a great job. So, I’m excited to continue to do it.”

That comment provides an interesting glimpse into how Skattebo evaluates the running game. He was not simply pointing the finger at the offensive line; in fact, he immediately included himself in the areas that need improvement. Cam understands that successful runs depend on both the blockers executing their assignments and the running back following the correct track.

That will become even more important against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night. Skattebo believes the Giants’ offensive line already showed enough against Dallas to give him confidence, but he also knows that better execution will be necessary as the competition gets tougher. His message is clear: the performance was good, but the Giants’ running game has another level to reach.

Donald has not played in a regular-season game since the end of the 2023 season before announcing his retirement. After spending more than two years away from the NFL, the future Hall of Fame defensive tackle returned to the Rams this offseason and has been working toward making his comeback.

That possibility has naturally caught the attention of Skattebo. The Giants running back knows exactly what Donald represents, but he also understands that the Rams star has not played an NFL game in a long time. Skattebo’s message ahead of Monday night’s matchup was filled with respect, but he made it clear he will not back down if the two players meet on the field.

Cam Skattebo’s message to Aaron Donald

Cam Skattebo was asked about the possibility of facing Aaron Donald and immediately acknowledged the challenge of going against a player who dominated the NFL for years. At the same time, the star RB pointed out that Donald will have to deal with the same reality as everyone else if Monday night becomes his first game back.

“He’s had a couple of years off. I’m sure he’s ready to go and he’s excited to play, but he’s still got to play football. He hasn’t practiced a ton. He hasn’t played in a game yet or played a ton. So, if it is his first game, he’s got to be ready for it, just like we do. I’m excited to play against him.”

Skattebo’s comments are not meant as disrespect toward Donald, but they’re definitely a challenge. In fact, Cam made it clear that he understands the magnitude of potentially sharing the field with one of the best defensive linemen to ever play the game.

“He’s one of the best to ever do it. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a good challenge. If I have to meet him in the hole on 3rd and 1, so be it. I gotta get one yard. He’s a good player. All respect to him.”

Cam Skattebo is ready for Aaron Donald

The final part of Skattebo’s answer captures his approach perfectly. Even if Donald is lined up across from him in one of the most physical situations possible, Cam is focused on accomplishing his assignment rather than worrying about the name on the other side.

That could make Monday night’s matchup particularly intriguing if Donald receives enough snaps to make an impact. Skattebo emerged as an important part of the Giants’ offense in Week 1, and his physical running style could eventually put him directly into situations where he has to challenge Donald at the line of scrimmage.

For Skattebo, however, the equation is simple. He has enormous respect for what Donald accomplished throughout his career, but if the Rams defensive tackle is finally back on the field and the Giants need one yard on third down, he is prepared to run directly at the challenge.

In addition to Skattebo, the Giants’ running back depth chart to face the Cowboys includes seasoned staples Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary. According to the Giants’ official depth chart, Skattebo is the main running back, but the duo of Singletary, and Tracy Jr. has no particular order. According to Big Blue Film Room, Tracy Jr. will be RB2, at least in Week 1.

Perhaps it will be a battle royale to determine who gets the snaps after Skattebo. Maybe they can even contend to become Harbaugh’s primary option in the backfield. For the time being, it seems Skattebo will get the nod. Based on his promising-yet-cut-short rookie year, his leash may not be short.

• Cam Skattebo
• Tyrone Tracy Jr.
• Devin Singletary

Najee Harris is inactive

Although his addition to the roster made headlines during the offseason and his presence raised eyebrows around Skattebo’s role, Najee Harris has been left off the active roster for Week 1’s Sunday night showdown against the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium.

“Najee Harris among the Giants inactives,” Jordan Raanan of ESPN reported. WR Dalen Cambre, TE Thomas Fidone, OT JC Davis, DT Bobby Jamison-Travis, CB Nic Jones, and S Jason Pinnock complete the list. Learning Malik Nabers isn’t on the inactives list confirms he will make his return against Dallas.

The decision was surprising, as many expected Harris to play a big role right away with New York. Instead, Harbaugh will opt to give Harris more time to acclimate himself to his playbook. The Giants will roll into Week 1 with the same trio that led the way last season, while Harris won’t play against the Cowboys.

Cowboys’ RB depth chart for Week 1

As for the Cowboys, Javonte Williams will lead the pack as the starting running back. Their other options in the backfield will be Emari Demercado and Israel Abanikanda. Dallas’ running back room doesn’t have as many question marks as New York’s, in the sense that it’s clear Williams will run the show.

• Javonte Williams
• Emari Demercado
• Israel Abanikanda

“Cam Skattebo listed as the top running back with Tyrone Tracy Jr. OR Najee Harris OR Devin Singletary next,” the insider stated on X. Only a few days remain until the G-Men’s season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, and it remains to be seen what decision John Harbaugh will make regarding the situation.

Najee Harris’ physical condition puts him in good shape for Week 1, although his role remains uncertain. As the days go by, the coaching staff will make a final call on who will serve as Skattebo’s backup in the running game.

Skattebo’s return to the field

Cam Skattebo’s comeback for the 2026 season has been nothing short of a miracle. The RB saw his breakout rookie year abruptly crushed back in Week 8 of the 2025 season against the Philadelphia Eagles.

During the second quarter, he suffered a horrifying right ankle injury—a dislocation paired with a fractured fibula and torn ligaments—when his leg got caught awkwardly under a tackle. It was such a painful and devastating blow that he even admitted to contemplating retirement during the early weeks of his brutal rehabilitation.

What decision will Harbaugh make?

Heading into SNF, John Harbaugh has a versatile toolbelt to complement Cam Skattebo in the backfield, with each RB2 candidate offering a distinct flavor for the Giants’ offense. Tyrone Tracy Jr. brings explosive dual-threat ability as a former wide receiver, giving Harbaugh a dynamic passing-down weapon who can stretch the defense in space.

Najee Harris gives the offense a bruising 240-pound power runner built for short-yardage and goal-line situations, fitting Harbaugh’s preference for heavy, physical backs. Meanwhile, Devin Singletary serves as the steady veteran who knows the system inside out, offering high-level pass protection and dependable baseline execution.

Any of these three options appear to be efficient and more than capable for Harbaugh. Depending on how the game against America’s Team unfolds, Giants’ coaching staff, alongside Matt Nagy, will make the final decision.

The incident quickly generated speculation that Harbaugh was unhappy with Skattebo and could have had a serious conversation with his young running back. Harbaugh had previously acknowledged the incident, while general manager Joe Schoen also expressed a preference for Skattebo to avoid unnecessary risks while preparing for the season. That created the impression that the Giants wanted their breakout running back to be more cautious away from the football field.

However, Skattebo’s latest explanation offers a different perspective on what actually happened behind the scenes. During an interview with Rich Eisen, the Giants running back revealed that Harbaugh did not initially confront him after the incident. Instead, Schoen reached out directly, with the team’s message focused primarily on keeping Skattebo healthy and ready for the upcoming season.

What happened between Cam Skattebo and John Harbaugh with NY Giants?

Cam Skattebo was asked what he could share about the conversation he had with John Harbaugh following the controversial backflip. His response suggested that the Giants’ concerns were less about punishing him for the incident and more about reminding him that his health needed to be the priority with the season approaching.

“Actually, Harbaugh didn’t even talk to me. Joe Schoen texted me and he was like: ‘Let’s lay low for a little bit.’ Just kind of reassuring me that, hey, the season’s coming up, we need you healthy, make sure that you’re in a good spot to be ready to play football.”

Skattebo also explained that the Giants’ front office already understood that he was not intentionally putting his health at risk. From his perspective, the organization knew that he would only participate in activities that he considered comfortable and would not deliberately do something that could seriously jeopardize his recovery or his ability to play football.

“He knows I’m not going to do anything to harm my body and I’m only going to do things that are comfortable for me. So, it was less of a ‘Hey, you need to do this’ and more of like a ‘Hey, just look out for yourself and make sure that you’re healthy.'”

Cam Skattebo’s controversy with NY Giants

That account makes the situation sound considerably less like a serious dispute between Cam Skattebo and the Giants. Schoen’s message appears to have been more of a reminder that the running back’s health was too important to jeopardize, particularly after he had already endured a major injury during his rookie season.

Skattebo also revealed that Harbaugh did eventually ask him about the backflip. According to the running back, the conversation was relatively simple, with the Giants coach wanting to know what happened and why Skattebo failed to complete the maneuver.

The exchange ultimately appears to have influenced Skattebo’s approach to doing similar stunts in the future. “He asked me about it. He asked me why I didn’t land it. I’m going to slowly go away from the backflips because people don’t like them.”

The incident also generated a strong reaction around the Giants. Head coach John Harbaugh said he planned to speak with Skattebo after seeing the video, while general manager Joe Schoen admitted he would have preferred that the running back not attempt the stunt. Skattebo, however, escaped the incident without suffering another injury and continued his recovery ahead of the new season.

Now, with Week 1 approaching and Skattebo expected to play a major role in the Giants’ offense, the running back has offered his perspective on the controversy. Speaking with Rich Eisen, Skattebo made it clear that he believes the incident became much bigger because of the intense attention that comes with playing in New York. For him, the most important part is that he walked away healthy and is now back on the football field.

What did Cam Skattebo say about the Fanatics Fest controversy?

The Fanatics Fest incident was particularly concerning because Cam Skattebo was coming off a devastating rookie-season injury. He had suffered a dislocated ankle and tibia fracture in Week 8 of the 2025 season, making any unnecessary risk during his recovery a source of concern for the Giants. The failed backflip therefore became more than just a viral moment, especially for a player expected to be an important part of the team’s offense.

When asked by Rich Eisen about the reaction to the incident, Skattebo dismissed much of the controversy and pointed to the way New York magnifies everything involving its athletes. “Yeah, I mean. That’s what New York does. They blow everything up. I was able to come out of that alive and back on the football field. That’s all that really matters. We’re here now.”

Skattebo’s comments show that he does not intend to let the incident define his offseason or his return from injury. The running back has already acknowledged that he learned from the situation, and he now has the opportunity to put the attention where he believes it belongs: on football.

For the Giants, that is ultimately the most important development. Skattebo is expected to be a key piece of Harbaugh’s offense alongside Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers, and his availability could have a major impact on New York’s chances in 2026. The Fanatics Fest controversy is now behind him, and Skattebo’s message is simple: he survived the scare, completed his recovery and is ready to get back to being himself on the field.

Joel Corry, a former NFL agent, is urging someone to rein in Skattebo. “When situations like these arise, an agent should provide counsel to their client. It’s an agent’s job to tell a client what he needs to hear, not what he wants to hear. That isn’t always done,” Corry said.

For Corry, the fact that the Giants brought in Najee Harris, and kept Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary is a testament that Skattebo’s margin for error is not big. He must mature and take more care of himself. Meanwhile, Skattebo is promising to punish the Cowboys in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.

Skattebo’s offseason controversies

Coming back of a really serious leg injury, Skattebo was seen doing careless backflip stunts during Fanatics Fest and a celebrity softball game. Both Giants GM Joe Schoen and HC John Harbaugh issued formal warnings to him.

Then, Skattebo started a fight during a Giants practice. He also appeared on the Bring The Juice podcast, and dismissed CTE and Asthma illnesses. All in all, Skattebo must control his actions. He is talented, but he is a wild guy.

The Giants should see Skattebo as a cornerstone player

Given his talent, age, and the fact that he is in his rookie deal, the Giants should see Skattebo as a guy that they could build around. After all, they see that in quarterback Jaxson Dart and wideout Malik Nabers, who are more or less on the same position as Skattebo.

However, Skattebo’s antics might make the Giants pump the brakes on him when it comes to trust him blindly on and off the field. After all, John Harbaugh is a no non-sense guy, and Skattebo isn’t aligning with that philosophy just yet.

Skattebo appeared on the Up & Adams show with Kay Adams, and didn’t mince his words. “It’s going to feel awesome. It’s going to be punishment to the defense,” Skattebo said about facing the Cowboys.

Then, Skattebo threw a classic line that pretty much defines what Skattebo is: a tough runner. “I’ve been hitting my own teammates for about three months now, so I am tired of it. I’m ready to play football against someone else.”

Skattebo has literally fought all the way to this moment

Whether it’s fighting to recover from a gruesome leg injury he suffered, or actually starting fights at John Harbaugh’s practices, the fact is he is a fiery player. Now, he can at least focus on a divisional nemesis like the Cowboys.

During his rookie year, Skattebo faced the Cowboys once. Skattebo recorded 45 rushing yards on 11 attempts and one touchdown. While he scored, Skattebo will surely want to get more yards against the Cowboys in Week 1.

Skattebo’s rookie stats

In 2025, a rookie Skattebo only played eight games as he suffered a season-ending injury. However, he made his mark. Skattebo finished his rookie season with 101 rush attempts, 410 yards, five touchdowns, and an additional 24 catches for 207 receiving yards and a further two TDs.

The Giants running back suffered a season-ending injury just seven games into his NFL career in 2025. At that point, Skattebo was forced to confront a decision he had already made before entering the league.

He had promised himself that a major injury would be the point at which he walked away from football. That shocking setback forced Cam to reconsider a promise he had made to himself before ever taking an NFL snap.

Cam Skattebo considered retirement with Giants

During an interview with Kay Adams, running back Cam Skattebo explained the rule he had established for himself before making the jump from college football to the NFL.

“Coming out of college and going into the NFL I gave myself one rule. It was that if I ever got a major injury I was done playing. That happened seven games into my NFL career. So, it kind of sucked. I think that really helped me to find out who I really was as a player and as a person.”

Instead of simply dealing with the physical challenges of rehabilitation, he had to determine whether football was still something he wanted badly enough to pursue.

Is Cam Skattebo playing in 2026 with Giants?

Yes. Cam Skattebo will play for the New York Giants during the 2026 season. However, the young RB acknowledged that retirement was genuinely on his mind during the early stages of his recovery from that devastating ankle injury.

“Yeah, I definitely considered it. Probably the first month was kind of like: ‘Do I really want to do this?’ Then, I thought it was just seven games. I was like: ‘I have to go back and play.’ That gave an extra step of finding that deep place to come out of that hole.”

The experience appears to have given Skattebo a different perspective on both football and himself. Now, rather than walking away after his first major setback, Skattebo is using the experience as motivation to continue building his career with the Giants.

Skattebo and Harbaugh may not be two peas in a pod, but they get along and share a common goal. Skattebo made his stance clear with complimentary remarks about Harbaugh and his first few months at the Giants’ helm. Coming off the season-ending injury that cut his rookie year short, Skattebo knows he is in for a big test in the 2026 NFL season.

It’s been a long recovery journey, one that Skattebo admitted even had him considering retirement from the NFL, but he can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. It would be a shame for his progress to be tarnished by reports of vitriol between him and his head coach, so Skattebo made sure to nip them all in the bud.

“Me and [John Harbaugh], we’re on the same page, we love each other,” Skattebo said on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams. “Me and him talk every single day, there’s no bad blood between us.“

Harbaugh called out Skattebo

The rumor mill around Skattebo and Harbaugh has been busy for a while. Everything started when Skattebo was the lit match that led to a fight in practice between the Giants’ offense and defense. After the session, Harbaugh explained how the running back’s energy is a double-edged sword the team must keep in check. His analogy came off a bit harsher, though.

“He got a 15-yard penalty at the end of practice. Did you see that? Yeah, it’s infectious. It can be infectious the other way, an infectious disease type of thing. We want it to be in a positive way,” Harbaugh said weeks ago about the energy Skattebo brings day in and day out in East Rutherford.

Skattebo clears the air

The buzz hinting at a rift between the first-year head coach in New York and the second-year halfback only grew louder as the two were caught by cameras having a not-so-friendly talk during a preseason game. Of course, that clip has been bastardized and taken out of context. During his interview with Kay Adams, Skattebo cleared the air on both controversies involving him and the Super Bowl-winning head coach.

“I think that comment was more so that what I did was infectious, an infectious disease in that moment. And not that I’m an infectious person. I think that’s how he meant it. We didn’t really talked about it, we kind of moved on from it. It wasn’t a big deal,” Skattebo commented on Harbaugh’s message about him back during training camp.

About the recent sideline controversy, “Skatt” made it clear it was only a conversation about game situations, and nothing personal. With the controversy cleared out of the way, the G-Men can focus on what’s really important and that is their upcoming season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. On the first Sunday Night Football of the 2026 season, the Giants will wear their traditional Big Blue uniforms.

NY Giants leave drama behind

Although most fans knew better than to read too much into the social media-led controversy around Skattebo and Harbaugh, it’s valuable for the running back to address the issue and put it to rest.

The Giants have much bigger fish to fry going into the 2026 NFL season and have put together a strong roster to make some noise. It would be a shame for off-field narratives to derail the campaign before it even starts.

This opens up an immediate competition for that spot in the short term, with next Sunday marking the final deadline for the 53-man roster. Depending on their head coach’s final decision, any of these three experienced running backs could find themselves with a different fate.

Although Skattebo’s rookie season has been marked by a serious injury, the new coaching staff has complete confidence in him. The only question remaining is who will ultimately serve as his primary backup if needed.

Will one of the Giants’ running backs be traded or cut?

The running back room in East Rutherford suddenly became crowded and, in a way, overloaded. The recent signing of Najee Harris raised questions about what would happen with both Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary.

The possibility of either of these two experienced players no longer wearing a Giants uniform in the near future remains very real, especially after Harris’ strong adjustment to the G-Men. It will be up to John Harbaugh to determine how he wants to structure his backfield for what promises to be a long and competitive season.

The benefits of choosing Harris, Singletary, or Tracy Jr.

In 2025, the Giants’ backfield delivered solid production: Tyrone Tracy Jr. led the ground attack with 740 rushing yards, 2 TDs and added 36 receptions for 288 yards and 2 receiving TDs, proving to be a dual-threat weapon. Meanwhile, Devin Singletary provided reliable veteran relief, putting up 437 rushing yards and 5 TDs along with 18 catches for 151 yards.

Adding to this backfield mix, Najee Harris recorded 15 carries for 61 yards and 3 receptions for 25 yards across 3 games with the Chargers in 2025 before a season-ending Achilles injury cut his campaign short. Despite this setback, the former Pittsburgh Steelers player quickly showcased his talent during the G-Men’s training camp and could emerge as Skattebo’s primary backup.