“He really cares about football,” the HC said in a recent interview with Giants radio broadcasters Bob Papa and Carl Banks. “So, for him to be this young, have that kind of mindset. I don’t know if it surprises me because I think that the guys that have a chance to be great, I feel like the Bradys of the world, the Mannings of the world, you know, they, they were always like that probably from the beginning.

“I don’t think they had to learn that. They kind of had it probably maybe from high school on. And I kind of see that in Jaxson Dart. Now we’ll see what he does with it. You know, we’ll see, you know, we’ll see, like all of us, we’ll see how good we are. We’ll find out.”

It is clear that Dart is still taking his first steps in the league and has a long road ahead of him, but he has the potential to become one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. Additionally, the way Harbaugh views his quarterback is already creating excitement throughout East Rutherford.

The mindset that impressed Harbaugh

Dart had a solid rookie season statistically, highlighted by an aggressive style of play that often led him into unnecessary collisions with opponents. Harbaugh, while not surprised but certainly impressed, believes that mindset can take him and the team a long way.

“I don’t know about surprised, probably just impressed, probably more than anything. I do think he’s obsessed. I believe that he really, really wants to be good. He’s kind of got the it factor from a leadership standpoint because he’s respected by the guys,” Harbaugh said.

“I mean, they just know how hard he works, and they know how much he cares, and they respect his talent, of course. He’s got a little juice, you know, he’s got some charisma.”

Brady and Manning’s first year in the NFL

In 1998, Peyton Manning was the No. 1 overall pick for the Indianapolis Colts, starting all 16 games and putting up a prolific yet erratic rookie campaign with 3,739 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and a league-high 28 interceptions, setting rookie records at the time for yards, completions, and touchdown passes.

By contrast, Tom Brady’s 2000 debut with the New England Patriots was almost invisible; buried as the fourth-string quarterback after being drafted 199th overall, Brady appeared in just one game during his rookie season, completing 1 of 3 passes for 6 yards.

Dart’s NFL debut season

Taken over as the New York Giants starter in Week 4 after being selected 25th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Jaxson Dart delivered a promising and fiery rookie campaign. Over 14 games (12 starts), the former Ole Miss signal-caller threw for 2,272 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions, finishing with a solid 57.5 QBR. Known for his aggressive playstyle and mobility, Dart also made a massive impact on the ground by rushing for 487 yards and 9 touchdowns, flashing franchise-QB potential despite the usual rookie growing pains.

“I mean, so I’ve been doing backflips since I was like four years old,” he explained on The Fantasy Footballers from SiriusXM. “So it’s natural to me. I’m gonna address the elephant. I will not hurt myself before the season. . . .”

Skattebo also added: “So what happened was, I don’t know if you guys know WWE or not, those floors are bouncy. So when I took off, I was mid-air, like, ‘Holy cow, I’m not gonna land this, I’m way too high.’ Landed, but it had too much cushion. It wasn’t a stiff, firm ground. So that’s why I kinda like went back, safely landed, got back up, was good to go. So nothing came out from that. I’m perfectly fine. Nothing happened. We’re good.”

The unique personality of Cam Skattebo

Beyond the talent Skattebo displays on the gridiron, he also brings a very outspoken personality. According to the former Arizona State standout himself, it is something he has always carried with him, and even the people of New York can relate to it.

“I totally enjoy that part,” Skattebo said. “I think I less enjoy the ‘brain-dead kind of guy.’ But it is what it is. I mean, the New York people love it, so I’m just gonna keep being me. And if they wanna say I’m brain-dead and I don’t have no brain, then who cares? (Expletive), you know?”

Skattebo takes over the Giants’ backfield

While Cam Skattebo is still recovering from his injury, it is expected that John Harbaugh will have him as the primary rushing option once he is fully healthy. Behind him on the depth chart, the Giants have interesting names competing for the RB1 role.

• Tyrone Tracy Jr.
• Devin Singletary
• Eric Gray
• Dante Miller

Cam Skattebo injury update

In late October 2025, New York Giants fans watched Cam Skattebo’s rookie season come to an abrupt end after seeing him go down on the field in Philadelphia, with a serious injury to his right leg later confirmed.

During a recent appearance at Fanatics Fest, the player himself revealed that he feels “perfectly fine” with his ankle, and he is expected to be available to the coaching staff from day one.

“My reaction was — I haven’t talked to him yet, I’m going to talk to him I’m sure. My reaction was this: Dude, at least stick it. I mean, land the thing if you’re going to do it, you know?” the head coach said with a laugh in an interview with the Bleav in Giants podcast.

“That was my first reaction.” Harbaugh, however, remained confident about his recovery: “But Skat’s going to be ready to go. He’s been working super hard. He has really been training like crazy. And his mind is on camp. He’s healthy, he’s ready to roll, and I can’t wait to see him out there at practice.”

Skattebo is well known for his eccentric personality, which often pushes him to the limit. While many were concerned that this type of stunt could jeopardize his physical condition, Harbaugh chose to downplay the drama.

A look back at Cam Skattebo’s 2025 injury

During Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season on October 26, 2025, New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo suffered a severe dislocated right ankle. The injury occurred during the second quarter of a 38–20 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field when he landed awkwardly following a pass attempt. Skattebo was carted off the field in an air cast and underwent successful surgery in Philadelphia that night.

Skattebo’s numbers before his injury

After arriving from Arizona State, Skattebo generated plenty of buzz among the G-Men as a promising weapon in the running game. Before suffering his serious injury, the running back recorded 5 touchdowns, 101 carries, 410 rushing yards, and averaged 4.1 yards per carry.

What’s next for the Giants?

The 2026 NFL training camps are drawing closer, and excitement is building in the Big Apple. John Harbaugh expects the Giants’ rookies to report on July 23, while the veterans are scheduled to arrive on July 28. Training camp will be held at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center/The Greenbrier.

“We all want to win, and we have every single piece you can need,” Eluemunor said via TMZ Sports. “We have an elite left tackle [Andrew Thomas]. We have an up-and-coming quarterback who I think can be the best quarterback in the NFL.”

The spotlight on Dart will be much bigger, as following his rookie season, expectations are that his stats will improve significantly based on what he showed during his first year. Not only that, but he now has John Harbaugh as a coach, someone who can take his game to the highest level.

The right tackle also added: “Any head coach in the NFL would want a team with this much young talent and especially the most important position at quarterback Dart. Dart’s a fricking amazing player. I think he’s going to be crazy this year.”

How did Jaxson Dart perform in his rookie season?

During his rookie season, Jaxson Dart stepped up as the starting quarterback for the New York Giants in Week 4 following Russell Wilson’s early struggles. Taking full advantage of the opportunity, the young signal-caller flashed dynamic potential, completing his first year with 2,272 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, and a 57.5 QBR.

While his aggressive, physical style of play helped extend drives and create explosive plays, it also exposed him to heavy contact and heightened injury risks. Moving forward, Dart’s primary area for growth will be learning to protect himself—avoiding unnecessary collisions and sliding in open field to preserve his body and prevent concussions.

Giants set to begin training camp

The 2026 New York Giants Training Camp will be hosted at the Sports Performance Center at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Rookies are scheduled to report on July 23rd, followed by veterans on July 28th.

Fans will have limited opportunities to catch the action in person, as practices on July 30th, July 31st, August 1st, August 5th, August 6th, and August 7th will be open to public viewing. All other training camp practices will remain closed to the public.

Eluemunor seeks another breakout season in New York

The veteran offensive tackle had an outstanding season with the Giants, allowing just 4 sacks and 3 hits on his QB in his 16 starts. Eluemunor knows they have a great diamond in the rough in Dart and, while he will look to maintain and improve his own stats, he also knows that with this quarterback they can achieve great things.

“He’s done a great job of taking that next step into that leadership role as such a young guy,” Eluemunor said. “And, you know, he’s got the team around him. Now everyone believes in him.”

Nabers remains one of the most important players on the roster and a centerpiece of Jaxson Dart’s offense. Because of that, every update regarding his rehab process has drawn significant attention from fans hoping to see him ready for the start of the 2026 season.

Fortunately for the Giants, head coach John Harbaugh sounded optimistic when discussing Nabers’ progress and commitment to his recovery. Finally, something positive in a very uncertain process.

When will Malik Nabers return?

John Harbaugh emphasized that Malik Nabers is fully invested in the rehab process and continues to make encouraging progress as he works toward a return.

“He’s doing everything he can. He said he plans to be here most of the time. Almost all the time, he’ll be here. He’s going to be here a lot working really hard. He’s making really good progress right now. So, I’m very hopeful that he’ll be back soon. He’ll be back, but then still be building his way back to his ultimate full-strength self. He’s doing great.”

The update suggests the Giants remain confident that Nabers will be back on the field in the near future. At the same time, Harbaugh acknowledged that returning to action and returning to peak form are two different milestones.

However, many reports have pointed out that Week 1 is becoming an unrealistic target for the player. That’s why, surprisingly, many names were signed to bring depth to the position. Odell Beckham Jr., Braxton Berrios and JuJu Smith- Schuster are all hints that Nabers might not be ready.

Fortunately for New York, most of the recent injury news appears encouraging. Head coach John Harbaugh offered fresh details on multiple players this week, giving the team reason for optimism heading into the summer.

According to Giants insider Dan Duggan, Harbaugh shared updates on several members of the roster during his latest media availability. “Updates from Harbaugh: Cam Jones hurt his ankle moving and should be fine in a week. Thomas Fidone had a ‘clean up’ on his foot. Harbaugh said it should be a two-week recovery so ‘fingers crossed’ he’s ready for camp. Sam Roberts is ‘on track’ for camp but will need to ramp up.”

Which other Giants players are dealing with injuries?

While none of the injuries appear overly serious for the New York Giants, John Harbaugh also addressed the status of additional players who have been limited during offseason activities.

Duggan reported that the Giants coach provided updates on both Beaux Collins and veteran offensive lineman Lucas Patrick. “Beaux Collins has been dealing with a hamstring. He should be fine. Lucas Patrick has been dealing with ‘old guy stuff.'”

Taken together, the updates suggest the Giants are avoiding any major health concerns as training camp draws closer. Jones is expected back soon, Fidone has a realistic chance to be ready for camp, and Roberts remains on schedule in his recovery.

Meanwhile, Collins’ hamstring issue does not appear to be significant, while Patrick’s situation sounds more like routine veteran maintenance than a serious injury.

The move ended months of speculation about the front office’s future and, perhaps more importantly, raised questions about Schoen’s relationship with head coach John Harbaugh. For much of the offseason, rumors suggested the two were not completely aligned behind the scenes.

But Harbaugh has consistently pushed back against that narrative, and his latest comments offered the clearest sign yet that the partnership is strong. “I was happy. He’s a good guy, I enjoy working with him. I’m looking forward to what we all can do together. I think It’s a good decision, I agree with it.”

Giants showing clear alignment between John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen

The Giants’ draft strategy already hinted that John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen were operating in sync. In the first round, New York aggressively targeted players they clearly believed fit the long-term vision of the franchise, including Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa.

That approach stood out because the Giants had other high-profile options available, including safety Caleb Downs. Instead of chasing the flashiest name, Schoen and Harbaugh appeared fully committed to building the roster around a shared philosophy centered on toughness, versatility, and long-term stability.

Since the draft, the Giants have continued reinforcing that vision by addressing other positions across the roster. The additions of Odell Beckham Jr., Braxton Berrios, and JuJu Smith-Schuster gave the wide receiver room more depth and experience as the team prepares for a new era led by quarterback Jaxson Dart.

At this point, the extension for Schoen looks less like a routine front-office move and more like confirmation that ownership believes in the Harbaugh-Schoen partnership. And if their recent decisions are any indication, both men appear determined to build the exact formula they believe can eventually bring another Super Bowl to New York.

Carter is expected to play a major role in New York’s defense during the 2026 season, making his health a key storyline throughout the offseason. Fortunately for the Giants, early reports suggest the injury is far less serious than many initially feared.

According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the Giants appear to have avoided a significant setback. “Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter suffered what sources classify as a minor ankle sprain during Monday’s practice. Head coach John Harbaugh said he did not believe the injury was serious.”

How serious is Abdul Carter’s injury?

The latest reporting only adds to the growing sense that Carter’s injury will not impact his availability for training camp. With more than a month remaining before the next major phase of the offseason, the Giants have every reason to proceed cautiously.

Jordan Raanan provided an encouraging update after observing Carter’s status following the injury scare. “Abdul Carter was back on the field during the walkthrough-like practice. Doesn’t seem like anything to worry about with training camp now 7 weeks away.”

The fact that Carter was already back on the field is an extremely positive sign for New York. While the Giants will continue monitoring his recovery, all indications point to this being a minor ankle issue rather than a long-term concern.

The situation has drawn considerable attention because special teams could play a major role in determining how successful the Giants are in 2026. In a game of inches, this could be the difference.

With Jaxson Dart expected to lead an improved offense, converting scoring opportunities into points will be critical for a team hoping to compete in a crowded NFC East.

Who will be Giants starting kicker in 2026?

Despite the uncertainty that surrounded the position earlier this offseason, it now appears head coach John Harbaugh could be closing in on a decision. According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, the competition may already be over.

“The Giants kicking competition hasn’t looked like much a competition this spring. Undrafted rookie Dominic Zvada has been consistently good. Veteran Jason Sanders was cut. Ben Sauls has struggled badly. During minicamp this week, Zvada has made all 13 of his FG attempts. Sauls is 7 of 14. Kicking competition may actually be over before the summer.”

The numbers paint a clear picture. While Zvada has been nearly flawless throughout minicamp, Sauls has struggled to establish consistency, creating a significant gap between the two candidates.

The development is particularly interesting considering Harbaugh’s history with kickers. During his tenure with the Baltimore Ravens, he helped build long-term stability at the position with Justin Tucker. More recently, in 2025, he showed a willingness to trust a young kicker by investing in rookie Tyler Loop.

That history could be relevant as the Giants evaluate Zvada’s future. If the undrafted rookie continues to perform at this level, he may not only win the starting job but also emerge as a long-term solution.

As reported by USA Today’s Art Stapleton, the Giants dialed up a rushing play for Skattebo on the opening play of 11-on-11 drills during Day 2 of mandatory minicamp. Considering Skattebo was only a limited participant in drills on Day 1, such a decision could be viewed as Harbaugh and the Giants giving a massive vote of confidence and showing trust in the Arizona State alum.

Up until he suffered a dislocated ankle, fractured fibula, and ruptured ligament in his right leg in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season, Skattebo had been one of the best rookies in the league. As he makes steady progress in his return to action, the Giants are making it clear they intend to rely on him to establish the ground game.

It’s only mandatory minicamp, and New York isn’t playing anyone, but the play-calling decision speaks volumes about where the franchise stands and the chemistry between the coaching staff and the leaders on the field.

Giants’ kicking competition

On a different note, away from the offense and onto special teams, the Giants made a brazen move by cutting veteran kicker Jason Sanders. They must now lie in the bed they made.

Dominic Zvada (22 years old) and Ben Sauls (24) are the only kickers on the roster and will inevitably be competing for the starting job. So far, the undrafted rookie out of Michigan appears to be running away with the role.

As reported by Stapleton and other beat writers at practice, Zvada has been perfect through the first two days of mandatory minicamp, connecting on all 13 of his field-goal attempts, while Sauls is off to a rough start, making just 8 of 14.

New York under questioning

Fans on social media are beginning to question New York’s decision to part ways with Sanders, as Zvada has shown promising signs but isn’t really facing a competitor who can put him under pressure. If Sauls’ struggles continue, it might not be long before the Giants make a roster move, parting ways with the Pittsburgh alum and bringing in a more experienced kicker to give Zvada a run for his money.

As things stand, the kicker position remains the main concern for the G-Men, with the starter still undecided. Coming off a 2025 NFL season in which Big Blue cycled through four different kicking options, Harbaugh and company will surely want to nip the problem in the bud as soon as possible.

According to a report by Dan Duggan, Carter’s injury is not something that should overly concern Giants fans. “Harbaugh said Abdul Carter twisted his ankle. Harbaugh said it doesn’t look too serious,“ Duggan posted on X.

While the initial report of a twisted ankle triggered nightmare scenarios for the fanbase, it is especially critical considering Carter is entering a highly anticipated 2nd NFL season. As a rookie last year, he played in all 17 games, racking up 43 combined tackles and providing a consistent pass-rush presence.

If Carter were to miss any extended time, who would replace him?

Kayvon Thibodeaux remains one of the best internal options to step up. While Thibodeaux has plenty of experience as an OLB, his 2025 campaign was cut short, limiting him to just 10 games. The last time he played a full season was in 2023, when he appeared in all 17 contests.

Another intriguing name to watch is rookie Arvell Reese, who is widely considered a massive piece of the Giants’ future defensive foundation. However, because he is a rookie, giving him a full-time starting role right out of the gate is a decision Harbaugh and the coaching staff will likely weigh carefully.

Carter remains central to Harbaugh’s master plan for the defense, but the team boasts enough roster depth to weather a minor setback. Ultimately, because the injury is considered minor, these contingency plans remain purely speculative and shouldn’t impact the franchise’s start to the 2026 season.