The New York Giants’ handling of running back Cam Skattebo on Sunday became a confusing saga after he and head coach John Harbaugh offered conflicting explanations for his workload in the 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Skattebo played six snaps and didn’t get a carry or reception one week after his overtime fumble against the Washington Commanders.
“I got punished for what I did,” Skattebo said. “I understand it, so I gotta be ready when coach calls my name, and that wasn’t [Sunday].”
Skattebo, however, said he knew before the game that fellow rusher Najee Harris would start and that he expected a reduced role following his fourth fumble of the season.
That said, Skattebo didn’t anticipate getting moved from a big workload to no touches at all against the Saints.
“Did I know it was going to go from 50 snaps to five snaps? No,” Skattebo said. “But if that’s what it is, that’s what it is.”
Harbaugh, meanwhile, offered a different explanation, insisting the Giants did not deliberately keep the ball away from Skattebo.
“It was not by design,” Harbaugh said. “I mean, all those guys were taking equal reps in the first half. We were trying to see who could make something happen, who could kinda get a hot hand and earn it.
“When he was in there, we didn’t call any runs.”
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Giants’ other running backs did not separate themselves on Sunday, either. Harris, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary combined for 34 rushing yards on 14 carries, while quarterback J.J. McCarthy led New York with 26 and wide receiver Darnell Mooney added 20 on one carry.
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New York visits the Houston Texans on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
