NFL Announces Punishment Decision on Cam Skattebo After Titans Incident

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo drew the NFL’s attention after helping his team grind out a rain-soaked win over the Tennessee Titans.

ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported on Saturday morning that the NFL fined Skattebo for illegal helmet contact on a running play during New York’s 12-7 victory over Tennessee.

“Giants RB Cam Skattebo was fined this week for ‘illegal helmet contact on a running play’ against the Titans,” Raanan reported, without indicating the amount.

Skattebo helped the Giants lean on their running game amid difficult conditions caused by a nor’easter. New York finished with 138 rushing yards and avoided committing a turnover while improving to 2-1.

Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons questioned Skattebo’s play and whether he was breaking NFL rules because of how he runs the ball. Simmons took a blow to the stomach, per The Tennessean, leading him to make his comments.

“I mean, he’s already a compact player,” Simmons said. “A guy like me trying to get off a block, and then guys like that, he’s going to lower his pads. I think a couple times he did lower his helmet, which I thought was a point of emphasis in this league, especially with running backs. Because if we lower our helmet (on defense), we’re going to get flagged for it.”

Skattebo, meanwhile, praised Simmons, who recorded a sack and a career-high seven tackles in the first half, after the game.

“Jeffery Simmons is on the other side of the ball, and you try to trap him — he’s an animal,” Skattebo said. “He wrecked a couple plays, and shout-out to him, man. He’s a respected player in this league. He destroyed some plays.”

Heading into Week 4, Skattebo challenged the fanbase Thursday to keep providing energy for a Giants team that has opened John Harbaugh’s tenure with two wins in three games.

“We have 14 more games to play at minimum,” Skattebo said. “We have to continue to bring our fan base in, have people coming in and giving their efforts and spirit to us. Teams are built off of what’s surrounding them.”

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Skattebo and the Giants will host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.