Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
It’s clear that New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh does not care if you’re the franchise running back like Cam Skattebo or a third-stringer: If you mess up, you ride the bench.
Skattebo learned that lesson the hard way in Sunday’s loss to the New Orleans Saints, in which he did not get a single touch.
“I didn’t expect to have zero [touches], but I was expecting to not play as much, just like I did,” Skattebo said. “The message is, ‘Keep your head down and keep going.’ They understand the type of player I am, and I just have to continue to do my job to the best of my ability.”
The second-year rusher out of Arizona State knew he was not going to start on Sunday after a costly overtime fumble while the Giants were setting up for a potential game-winning field goal during their Week 5 tie with the Washington Commanders. He had fumbled the football four times in Big Blue’s first five games of the season.
“I got punished for what I did, and I understand,” Skattebo said. “I’ve got to be ready when coach calls my name. And that wasn’t today.”
One of his replacements on Sunday, Tyrone Tracy Jr., knows all too well about Harbaugh’s philosophy. His playing time was drastically cut in both the preseason and after a Week 1 fumble against the Dallas Cowboys. Tracy was the main beneficiary of Skattebo’s benching — even if that’s not what Harbaugh calls it — scoring two touchdowns in the 34-27 loss. The trio, including Najee Harris and Devin Singletary, combined for 14 carries and 34 yards.
Skattebo did appear in six offensive snaps, but his number just so happened to not be called.
“That was not by design,” Harbaugh said. “It’s just when he was in the game, we didn’t call any runs.”
No one is going to buy that, but the message has clearly been received by Skattebo.
“If that’s what it is, that’s what it is,” Skattebo said. “I have to get back to practice, work my butt off, and hopefully it comes back around.”
For more on Cam Skattebo and the Giants, visit AMNY.com
