Cam Skattebo is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles after missing practice all week with a hamstring injury, leaving the New York Giants without clear certainty on whether their leading rusher will be available. The only answer right now is that he is not trending toward a normal workload.
That is why the question is being asked today. The injury report came down Friday, with the Giants set to play Sunday, and Skattebo’s status sits at the center of the game plan because he leads the team with 418 rushing yards on 98 carries. No other Giants player has reached 100 yards on the ground this season, so his availability is tied directly to how much the offense can lean on its running game.
Skattebo hurt his hamstring in overtime against the Houston Texans on Oct. 25 and did not practice during the week, even with the bye giving the Giants extra time to recover. When asked about keeping the door open, John Harbaugh said to keep it open and see what happens, but that is as far as the optimism went. A doubtful tag usually points against playing, and missing every practice session only makes the path narrower.
If Skattebo cannot go, Devin Singletary is expected to take over as the primary back on Sunday. Greg Desrosiers Jr. and Phil Mafah are also in line as possible options, which matters because Tyrone Tracy Jr. was placed on injured reserve last week with a hamstring injury. Desrosiers Jr. was signed off the Los Angeles Chargers' practice squad to replace him and is set for his first career game, while Mafah has appeared in one game and has five career carries.
There is at least one cleaner piece of news for the Giants. Malik Nabers practiced Friday without an injury designation and is expected to play without limitations, with Harbaugh saying he was a full participant and would be full go for the game. That gives New York one of its best offensive weapons back, but it does not erase the uncertainty around the backfield.
The Giants need that offense to hold up because they are chasing their first win at Lincoln Financial Field since 2013. Skattebo also knows that building in Philadelphia has already left a mark on him after a fractured ankle there last season. For now, the best read is simple: Nabers is set, Skattebo is doubtful, and the Giants will need to decide how much of Sunday they want to plan around a running back who may not suit up at all.
