Najee Harris is out, but don’t go celebrating Cam Skattebo’s return to the New York Giants’ running back plans just yet. After not getting a single carry in Week 6, Skattebo’s fantasy outlook is still rough, even with Harris reportedly released by the Giants following a meager two yards on four carries against the New Orleans Saints.
The Ball Security Nightmare That Cost Skattebo His Role
This dude was supposed to be a PPR league steal, drafted on average with the 36th pick! Skattebo showed flashes early, finishing top-20 in fantasy points in Weeks 1 and 3. But then things just fell apart. In Weeks 4 and 5, he scraped together a measly 14.7 fantasy points on 34 touches. The real kicker? An overtime fumble deep in Washington Commanders territory during that brutal 27-27 tie in Week 5. That miscue looked like it cost him everything, as he didn’t start the next week and played only six offensive snaps against the Saints.
Coach John Harbaugh tried to play it cool after the Saints loss, denying Skattebo was being punished. “It was not by design,” Harbaugh claimed. “I mean, all those guys were taking equal reps in the first half. We were trying to see who could make something happen, who could kinda get a hot hand and earn it. Nobody’s really taking the bull by the horns… It wasn’t by design for him not to carry the ball. It was just, when he was in there, we didn’t call any runs.” But let’s be real, that fumble wasn’t a fluke. It was his fourth time coughing up the ball in five games, even if it was the first one he actually lost this season. Only James Cook III has at least four fumbles so far this year. That’s a huge problem.
One Less Back, But Still a Crowded Mess
So, Harris is gone, but will it even matter for Skattebo? Probably not much, honestly. The 28-year-old Harris was barely a factor for the offense himself, playing only 61 snaps in five games. Against New Orleans, the Giants had *six* different players get at least one carry. Tyrone Tracy Jr. led the way with six carries, and nobody else had more than four. Yeah, they were trailing by as many as 24 points in the second half, which changes the game script, but still. It shows a serious lack of trust or a clear leader in that backfield.
This week isn’t looking any better for Skattebo to turn things around. The Giants are facing the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. The Texans’ defense hasn’t exactly been the dominant unit everyone expected this season, but they’re still allowing the third-fewest rushing yards per game. Plus, they’re tied for 10th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Talk about a tough welcome back, if he even gets one.
So, what’s the move? Skattebo is still not worth starting in fantasy. You can keep an eye on his snap count against the Texans as a clue for his future role, but until Coach Harbaugh shows he’s actually interested in using him again, and Skattebo stops fumbling, don’t even think about putting him in your lineup. This situation is a total headache.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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