Cam Skattebo returns from a hamstring injury on Thursday night against Washington, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports the Giants want him to carry the ball 15 to 20 times.
The running back has been cleared and will start on Thursday Night Football (TNF) in wet, rainy conditions, with Devin Singletary as the backup.
The Giants are 5-2-1. Sports Illustrated reports they hold a three-game lead in the loss column over the rest of the NFC East.
Skattebo hurt his hamstring in the Week 7 overtime win over Houston. He was not ready for the Week 9 win over Philadelphia even though the Giants had the Week 8 bye to rest him. Because both teams may lean on the run in the bad weather, Singletary could also see plenty of work.
Who’s ready for some TNF? Messy in MetLife. Expect plenty of Cam Skattebo for Giants. pic.twitter.com/QhJBLT98Wo
Giants Chase Backfield Help, Then Stand Pat
The Giants pursued backfield help before Tuesday’s trade deadline. Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported the Giants offered a second-round and a fifth-round pick to Indianapolis for Jonathan Taylor before pulling the offer, Bleacher Report noted.
HITC says the Colts wanted a first-rounder and the Giants would not go beyond a second. Yahoo Sports adds that New York also inquired with Atlanta about Bijan Robinson.
"[The Commanders] have to put together a complete game."@JFowlerESPN previews the Giants-Commanders game tonight 🏈 pic.twitter.com/KRIAUecod4
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer had reported on Friday that the Giants were a “serious suitor“for Taylor. On Sunday, Harbaugh said, per ESPN's Jordan Raanan, that he was not denying the report and that the team was”not ruling anything out.” By Monday, Raanan reported it would be a surprise if Taylor were traded to the Giants.
Coach John Harbaugh defended standing pat, per NJ.com, as CBS Sports relayed.
All eyes will be on Cam Skattebo tonight. He's returning from a hamstring injury and is well aware the Giants tried to trade for a RB. Final 9 games are huge for his future. "I would be skeptical too if my running back was going for 60 yards per game and not exploding out," he… pic.twitter.com/SiOeYjrjnR
“You make a bad deal, that doesn’t make you better. That makes you worse. Sometimes, the best deal is the deal that you don’t make,” Harbaugh said.
Skattebo, asked after the deadline about the interest in other backs, said he understood it.
“I would be skeptical too if my running back was going for 60 yards per game and not exploding out,” he told ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
He also said he was “hitting his stride.”
Cam Skattebo has the next nine weeks to show the Giants they don’t need to keep pursuing upgrades at running back: https://t.co/3JTR46mHRk pic.twitter.com/nUHeNWCwQs
Tyrone Tracy Jr. remains sidelined, so the backfield belongs to Skattebo and Singletary. GMEN HQ writes that if Skattebo falls short over the rest of the season, Harbaugh could renew his search for a star back in 2027.
Skattebo Rebounds From Week 5 Fumble
The rematch traces to the 27-27 tie in Week 5. Skattebo fumbled at the Washington 24 with two minutes left, Sports Illustrated reports, and the Giants had a field goal chance wiped out. Kicker Dominic Zvada missed three field goals that day, including a would-be overtime winner.
The fallout was swift. CBS Sports says Skattebo got no touches in Week 6; Sports Illustrated says he played six snaps against New Orleans.
In Week 7 he ran 17 times for a career-high 124 yards and a touchdown against Houston, including a 42-yard overtime run on which he hurt his hamstring. He missed the Week 9 win at Philadelphia.
Giants wanted to get Cam Skattebo at least 15 to 20 touches tonight, depending on flow of the game and the conditions. Already at five touches: Three rushes for 23 yards and two catches for 37 yards.
On the season he has 98 carries for 418 yards and two touchdowns, 4.3 yards per carry, Yahoo Sports reports. Bleacher Report adds 11 catches for 76 yards.
“Obviously, we had that one-week hiccup where I got in trouble. That was it. I came back that next week and handled business,” Skattebo said.
Once a defiant Giant, always a defiant Giant Great line @NYPost_Serby after chatting with Cam Skattebo's dad about his son's reset. https://t.co/wzdfWYEUQ7 #Giants
Before the Week 5 fumble, his hold on the job was already slipping, according to For The Win. After a decent opener against Dallas, he averaged 53 yards per game over the next four games, with fewer than four yards per carry and three fumbles.
Washington’s Defense Meets a Storm
GMEN HQ writes that Washington has allowed the NFL’s highest rushing success rate and seven runs of 20 or more yards, fifth-most. Sports Illustrated says the forecast calls for a nasty storm, stronger than the mist that may have affected Zvada in the first game. Receiver Malik Nabers had 11 catches for 121 yards and a touchdown in that meeting.
The Giants ended a 13-game losing streak at Philadelphia, per Sports Illustrated, after beating Houston in overtime. For The Win says they are chasing their first division title in 18 years.
Not everyone sees Skattebo as a featured back. On First Take, analyst Louis Riddick called him a physical change-of-pace runner who “he’s not—he’s not RB1,” meaning lead back, HITC reported.
Skattebo’s answer came Tuesday, per Bleacher Report: “You’ve seen what I can do,” he said. “When I come out, and I’m ready to play football, I can be one of the most dangerous backs in the league. Simple as that.”