New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo was carted off the field after suffering a devastating ankle injury during the team’s 38-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The injury appeared severe and immediately silenced the crowd at MetLife Stadium.
The play occurred midway through the second quarter when Skattebo caught a short pass from quarterback Jaxson Dart. As he was tackled, his leg was trapped underneath him and twisted awkwardly, bending at an unnatural angle. Players from both teams quickly motioned for medical personnel as Skattebo lay on the field in visible pain. Giants teammates gathered around the rookie while trainers placed an air cast on his leg before loading him onto a cart, as he waved to fans while being taken off the field. The team ruled him out before halftime with an ankle injury, though the exact diagnosis has not yet been confirmed. Before exiting the game, Skattebo had tallied three carries for 12 yards and caught an 18-yard touchdown pass, continuing what had been a stellar start to his NFL career.
Skattebo’s injury marks a major setback for one of the league’s breakout rookies. Drafted in the fourth round out of Arizona State, the 22-year-old quickly became one of the Giants’ most dynamic offensive weapons. Over the first seven weeks of the season, Skattebo amassed 587 total yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns, leading all rookies in total yardage and ranking among the top contenders for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Before joining the NFL, Skattebo enjoyed a decorated college career — he was an All-American at Arizona State, finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting after a standout season that saw him become one of the most productive backs in the country. Before transferring to ASU, he dominated at Sacramento State, where he earned FCS All-American honors.
Prior to Sunday’s injury, Skattebo had recorded 398 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground, plus 189 receiving yards and one touchdown through the air. His three-touchdown performance against the Eagles on October 9 was a defining moment of what had looked to be a star-making rookie campaign.
With Skattebo sidelined, Tyrone Tracy Jr. is expected to step back into the lead role in the Giants’ backfield — a position he held earlier in the season.
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