Giants running back Cam Skattebo suffers injury

Giants running back Cam Skattebo suffers injury

Cam Skattebo begins his long road to recovery following a gruesome-looking dislocated ankle injury.

New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo has a relatively long road to recovery following his season-ending dislocated ankle injury that warranted emergency surgery not long after he fell to the grass at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.

But despite what’s ahead, the Giants' fourth-round rookie with the infectious personality whose presence will be missed as Big Blue attempts to pull itself out of a 2-6 rut for the third time in as many years, Skattebo made sure to let head coach Brian Daboll know that his spirits were high.

“He texted me pretty early today,” Daboll said. “He's just got an infectious personality. I got a text from him at 4:08 this morning. You know, so that's Skatt.”

No injury has been easy for Daboll and the Giants, and they have certainly seen a lot of them over time. But Skattebo has been something of a different story, given his infectious energy that, along with quarterback Jaxson Dart, has turbocharged the locker room.

“(He’s) a guy that has come in and sparked us with a lot of energy and toughness, but the personality that he has as well,” Daboll said. “But it's like all your other players that you're close with. 

“These guys spend a lot of time together, meeting time, outside the building. And that's always a tough element in this game, when guys go down and get hurt. You hate to see it. Unfortunately, it's part of the business.”With Skattebo headed to IR, Daboll said that Devin Singletary, who over the last three weeks has only seen 15 snaps on offense after seeing double digits in all but one game (Week 2), will likely see a larger role as part of the offensive backfield along with Tyrone Tracy, Jr.The Giants are also likely to sign Dante “Turbo” Miller from the practice squad once Skattebo is officially placed on IR.  “We've got a week here to decide what we want to do,” Daboll said.

 As for Skattebo, Daboll is pulling for the rookie to make it back, adding, “He's got a road ahead of him. 

Cam Skattebo’s rookie season came to a brutal halt Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. The New York Giants running back dislocated his ankle in a moment that had both sidelines falling silent, then erupting in support as trainers rushed to his side.

The 23-year-old was carted off the field to applause from both teams. Eagles players took a knee in respect. Within hours, Skattebo underwent emergency surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, and by Friday, he was already discharged and beginning his recovery.

The injury was season-ending, but the young back’s response showed the same toughness that had made him a breakout star for New York’s offense. On Monday, Skattebo took to social media to thank everyone who reached out following the devastating injury.“Thank you everyone for the support!! Surgery went well. I just want to thank the city of Philly for taking the best care of me. Every moment I spent in the hospital with family and friendsThe rookie wasn’t done there. His message carried the determination that had defined his first NFL season.“This is just the beginning of my journey and I can’t wait to show you guys all about it!!! GOD has a plan for me, stick the course and it will all work itself out, BRB,” he added.Before the injury derailed his campaign, Skattebo had emerged as one of the Giants’ most productive offensive weapons. The fourth-round pick from Arizona State entered the season behind second-year running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., but when Tracy suffered a shoulder injury in Week 4, Skattebo stepped up.

That same week, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart made his first career start, and the timing couldn’t have been better for both young players.

The No. 105 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft seized his opportunity immediately. Through eight games, Skattebo racked up 410 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 101 carries. He also contributed as a receiver, hauling in 24 catches for 207 yards and two more scores.Now the Giants will have to navigate the rest of the season without one of their brightest young talents. For Skattebo, the focus shifts to recovery and proving that this setback is just a temporary pause in what promises to be a long career.The game didn't seem out of the ordinary. The Eagles led 14-7 midway through the third quarter, and the Giants had the ball when the tragedy struck.Skattebo took a high pass to the middle of the field, and linebacker Zack Braun immediately made the tackle. However, Skattebo landed awkwardly, fracturing his ankle, and was taken to the hospital, where DiSandro visited.In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Inquirer.com beat reporter Jeff McLane reported, "Cam Skattebo had a surprise visitor at Penn Presbyterian on Monday."According to McLane, "#Eagles Do-it-all Chief of Security Dom DiSandro, who dropped off pizza and cheesesteaks for the Giants rookie while he was still at the Philly hospital after dislocating his ankle on Sunday."

DiSandro is well known for being the team's general manager, Howie Roseman's right-hand man when it comes to signings. However, he also has a well-earned reputation for being very close to the players.DiSandro's gesture generated mixed responses on social media, with some applauding him, others criticizing him, others joking that Roseman sent him to "finish the job," and others claiming that Big Dom is trying to recruit Skattebo.

When Arizona State’s offense took the field early in the second quarter of their matchup against the Utah Utes, few could have predicted how quickly the momentum — and perhaps the trajectory of the Sun Devils’ season — would change. Junior running back Cam Skattebo, one of the most dynamic and dependable players on the roster, went down clutching his leg after an awkward tackle. Within moments, the stadium fell silent as medical staff rushed to his side.Skattebo’s injury, which occurred on a routine carry up the middle, has since become the focal point of Arizona State’s midseason narrative. As the team’s leading rusher, emotional leader, and offensive engine, his absence raises serious questions about the Sun Devils’ ability to stay competitive in the remaining Pac-12 games.

A Devastating Moment for ASU The play itself was unremarkable — a first-and-10 from the 35-yard line. Skattebo took a handoff, powered through the initial line of scrimmage, and appeared to be fighting for extra yards when a Utah linebacker rolled over his planted leg. Replays showed his ankle twisting unnaturally as he went down. The broadcast quickly cut away, but the replay was enough to elicit gasps from fans both in the stands and watching at home.Trainers immediately called for the cart as Skattebo lay on the turf. His teammates knelt in a huddle nearby, several visibly emotional. When he was finally lifted onto the cart, Skattebo raised a hand to acknowledge the crowd, drawing a standing ovation from Sun Devil supporters who know just how much he means to their program.

“Cam’s the heart and soul of our team,” head coach Kenny Dillingham said during his postgame press conference. “He’s a warrior, he’s the kind of player who inspires everyone around him. To see him go down like that — it hurts.”early Diagnosis and Team ResponseWhile official details remain limited, early reports suggest the injury may involve ligament damage to Skattebo’s lower leg or ankle. Dillingham confirmed after the game that X-rays were negative for fractures but noted that an MRI would determine the full extent of the injury.

“We’re going to take every precaution,” Dillingham said. “Right now, the most important thing is Cam’s recovery and making sure he’s healthy long-term.”

Team sources have indicated that Skattebo was in good spirits despite the setback, reportedly telling teammates in the locker room that he plans to “be back before anyone expects.” Still, optimism is tempered with realism — if ligament damage is confirmed, the junior could be sidelined for several weeks or potentially the remainder of the season.

Losing Skattebo would be a significant blow for an Arizona State offense already struggling with consistency. Through seven games, he had racked up over 700 rushing yards, 250 receiving yards, and seven total touchdowns — production that accounted for nearly a third of the team’s total offense. Beyond statistics, Skattebo’s toughness and energy have often galvanized the Sun Devils when games started slipping away.Offensive coordinator Beau Baldwin now faces the daunting task of retooling the offense without its centerpiece. Sophomore running back DeCarlos Brooks, who has seen limited action this season, is expected to take on the bulk of the carries moving forward. Baldwin also hinted that the team may lean more on short passing routes to compensate for Skattebo’s absence.“Cam gives us a lot more than just yards,” Baldwin said. “He’s a tone-setter. But this is also an opportunity for other guys to step up. That’s football — it’s next man up.”

Teammates Rally Around Their LeaderIn the days following the injury, several of Skattebo’s teammates took to social media to express their support. Quarterback Trenton Bourguet posted on X (formerly Twitter): “We got you, bro. Your fight inspires all of us. We’ll hold it down until you’re back.”

Wide receiver Elijhah Badger, who has shared a strong on-field chemistry with Skattebo, called him “the toughest dude I’ve ever played with” in a postgame interview. “He’s always the first one in, last one out. Even when he’s hurting, he never complains,” Badger said. “We’re gonna play for him.”Fans, too, have flooded social media with messages of encouragement, sharing highlights of Skattebo’s trademark hard-nosed running style — particularly his signature spin moves and relentless second-effort plays that often turned short gains into explosive runs.A Season at a CrossroadsThe injury comes at a particularly delicate time for Arizona State. At 3–5, the Sun Devils were fighting to remain bowl eligible, and Skattebo’s leadership had been a critical factor in keeping morale high amid a rebuilding year. Without him, the team faces a tougher climb — but also an opportunity to showcase its depth and resilience.“This is one of those moments that defines a program,” said college football analyst Yogi Roth on the Pac-12 Network. “How a team responds when it loses its best player tells you everything about its culture. If they rally around each other, it could be the start of something special, even in adversity.”The Road to RecoveryAs for Skattebo, his immediate future remains uncertain, but those close to him describe an athlete with an unmatched work ethic and determination. Having transferred to Arizona State from Sacramento State, where he was named the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, Skattebo has long carried a chip on his shoulder. His rise from a small-school standout to a Pac-12 star was fueled by persistence — the same mindset that may now guide his recovery.“Cam’s a fighter,” Dillingham reiterated. “If anyone can come back stronger from this, it’s him.”

For now, Sun Devil fans can only wait for the results of further medical evaluations and hope that their star running back’s injury is less severe than feared. Regardless of the timeline, one thing is certain: Cam Skattebo’s impact on Arizona State football goes far beyond what shows up on a stat sheet.

Posted on 2025/10/28 09:18 AM