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There are consequences when a running back puts the ball on the ground. Cam Skattebo has done that too much this season and as a result he lost his starting job for Sunday’s Giants game against the Saints at MetLife Stadium.
Najee Harris, the 28-year old veteran, replaced Skattebo in the starting lineup. In pregame warmups, Harris was the first running back, a sure sign that he was promoted.
Skattebo has four fumbles in five games this season and the one he lost was extremely costly, as it cost the Giants a chance to win the game with a field goal in last week’s 27-27 tie with the Commanders. The Giants drove to the Washington 24-yard line, helped along by three Skattebo runs that gained 33 yards and were in position to send rookie Dominic Zvada — who had already missed three field goals in the rain — to win the game with a 42-yard field goal. That attempt never came, as Skattebo lost the ball fighting for yards when he was hit by defensive end Daron Payne.
Skattebo is not off to a strong start to his second NFL season, averaging only 3.6 yards per rush, in addition to his ball-security issues.
The problem for the Giants is that none of the running backs were able to get untracked in the first five games and Skattebo, Harris and Tyrone Tracy have all fumbled at least once. Devin Singletary is the other running back on the roster and the 29-year old veteran has been a healthy scratch the past three games but he was active on Sunday to face the Saints.
Harris is a proven running back, starting his NFL career with four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Steelers. He signed with the Chargers in 2025 and tore his Achilles three games into the season. He has not shown much burst in his brief time with the Giants.
Head coach John Harbaugh this past Friday was asked if there comes a point when changes must be made when fumbles are ongoing.
“Of course,’’ Harbaugh said. “Yes. There is a point.’’
Asked if he had reached that point with Skattebo, Harbaugh said “We’ll see. We’ll find out.’’
The Saints after five games were 30th in the NFL in run defense, allowing 148 yards per game.