Cam Skattebo did not get a carry in the New York Giants’ 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, a sharp turn after his workload dropped from 50 snaps to five snaps. He entered the game with 81 carries in 2026, but never touched the ball as the Giants’ running game stalled again.
The search around Cam Skattebo trade rumors is tied to what happened on the field: a reduced role that came after last Sunday’s fumble against the Washington Commanders in overtime. Skattebo said afterward, “I got punished for what I did,” and added that he had to own his mistakes. He said he did not know his role would fall from 50 snaps to five snaps, but if that is what it was, then that is what it was.
There was reason to expect more from the Giants on the ground. The Saints entered the day ranked 30th in rushing yards per game allowed, 26th in yards per carry allowed, 26th in defensive rushing EPA and 32nd in defensive rushing success rate. Instead, the Giants rushed for 84 yards, and their running backs combined for 34 yards on 14 carries. Quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Jameis Winston and wide receiver Darnell Mooney accounted for 50 of those rushing yards, leaving the backs with little room to work.
John Harbaugh said the Giants did not bench Skattebo and that he was not held out by design. Harbaugh said all of the running backs were taking equal reps in the first half and that the staff was trying to see who could make something happen and earn it. He also said, “When he was in there, we didn’t call any runs.” That explanation only goes so far, because Najee Harris started and managed four carries for two yards, while the Giants’ backs got just six carries in the second half even as the team fell behind 34-10.
Skattebo’s fumble last week was his fourth of the season, and the punishment was visible in the game plan. The Giants’ running game remains a problem, and after Sunday there is no clean answer yet on whether his workload will rebound or stay where it was when the ball never came his way at all.
