New York Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy offered encouraging words about running back Cam Skattebo on Wednesday, signaling a possible rebound in the second-year back’s role ahead of Sunday’s Week 7 game against the Houston Texans.
Skattebo played just six snaps and recorded zero carries in the Giants’ 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 6, the first time in his career he was active without a touch.
Najee Harris, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary all received carries in that game. Harris started but managed only four carries for two yards before the Giants released him on Tuesday following comments in which he questioned the multi-back rotation.
Nagy addressed the backfield situation Wednesday, saying, “Less backs means probably more carries for some of those backs that are in there. We’re excited to see where this thing goes.”
The coordinator specifically praised Skattebo’s response to the reduced workload, saying, “The way Skatt handled things is impressive and it’s not easy to do. He handled that like a true pro and that’s growth and I’m really proud of him for that.”
The Athletic’s Dan Duggan wrote after the comments that it is “safe to say Skattebo is out of the doghouse.”
Nagy also clarified that the staff did not intend for Skattebo to finish the Saints game without a carry.
Through six games, Skattebo has 81 carries for 294 yards, an average of 3.6 yards per carry, and one touchdown. He has yet to record a run longer than 19 yards this season.
He has fumbled four times, tying Buffalo Bills running back James Cook for the most among NFL players this year. Last season, Skattebo averaged 4.1 yards per carry and fumbled only once in eight games.
The Giants’ rushing attack has struggled in part because dual-threat quarterback Jaxson Dart has been unavailable. Jameis Winston filled in as the passer but is not a significant running threat, which limited designed runs and run-pass options.
Giants on SI’s Patricia Traina noted, “Despite Winston leading the team to a 2-1-1 record, that record came with a struggle. The run game suffered because Winston isn’t an ideal fit for the RPO/designed-run part of the playbook.”
J.J. McCarthy has been named the starter for the Texans game and possesses similar mobility to Dart.
Head coach John Harbaugh has emphasized that running backs must produce when given the chance, saying, “Do the most you can with the opportunities you get. Make the most of those opportunities and you’re sure to get more opportunities. Do something. So, I get it that you want to get out there and you want to get a rhythm, but that rhythm is earned too and it just hasn’t happened yet.”
With Harris gone, Skattebo has a clearer path to more work against the Texans as the Giants look to establish a more consistent ground game at 3-2-1.
