Cam Skattebo is attracting attention for all the wrong reasons. Just days ago, during an August 26 practice, the New York Giants running back reportedly ruffled serious feathers with a late slide after catching a pass. This reckless move came dangerously close to taking out the legs of defensive backs Jevon Holland and Greg Newsome, sparking a fight, even though defensive players weren’t allowed to make hard contact. It’s a huge problem when your own coach has to call you out like this.
Skattebo’s Antics Are Piling Up
Giants Coach John Harbaugh didn’t mince words after the August 26 incident. “Did you see that? Yeah, it’s infectious,” Harbaugh said. “It can be infectious the other way, an infectious disease type thing. We want it to be in a positive way.” That’s not just a warning; that’s a direct shot at a player whose actions are apparently poisoning the locker room. This wasn’t a one-off thing either. Only a few days before, Skattebo ran over linebacker Zaire Barnes during a drill where defensive players were explicitly prohibited from making hits. This pattern of ignoring rules and putting teammates at risk is a massive red flag for any team, especially as the regular season gets underway.
Injury Risks Could Cost Him Everything
Beyond the practice field drama, Skattebo has a history of questionable decisions that directly put his health and career on the line. Back in July, at Fanatics Fest, he tried his signature backflip and landed awkwardly on his surgically repaired right ankle. This prompted Harbaugh and General Manager Joe Schoen to sit him down and talk about his actions. Remember, his entire rookie season in 2025 was cut short after Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles due to a dislocated ankle, tibia and fibula fracture, and a deltoid ligament rupture. He still managed 401 yards on 101 carries with five touchdowns, and caught 24 passes for 207 yards and two more scores in those eight games, showing his potential. But what’s potential worth if you can’t stay on the field?
Fortunately, he didn’t suffer a major setback from either backflip incident, but the risk is real. If he *did* get hurt in a non-football activity, he could land on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list. Teams don’t have to pay players on that list, and skill, injury, and salary cap guarantees in NFL contracts don’t apply to non-football injuries. As a 2025 fourth-round pick, Skattebo’s only guaranteed money is his $1.07 million signing bonus. That’s it for his four-year rookie deal. His agent needs to be straight with him, telling him what he *needs* to hear about protecting his career, not what he wants to hear. If he doesn’t clean up his act, he could be playing himself right out of a job and a lot of money.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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