Harbaugh hints at fumbles reducing Skattebo’s work

ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports that Skattebo once again worked with trainers off to the side at today’s practice. He will be listed as a non-participant. With Tyrone Tracy (hamstring) on injured reserve, Devin Singletary is tentatively in line to start in Week 9 against the Eagles. He would likely be an RB3/FLEX if Skattebo cannot play.

The Giants won’t release their first injury report for the week until Wednesday, but in the team’s first practice after its bye week, Skattebo was seen working off to the side with trainers. Skattebo injured his hamstring late on a 42-yard run in overtime in Week 7’s win over the Texans, but said he expected to be okay after the bye. While that may still be the case, fantasy managers will want to check his practice status throughout the week to see if he’s at risk of missing Week 9’s game against the Eagles.

Skattebo appeared to have tweaked his hammy on a 42-yard run in overtime that had a chance to be the game-winning run for the Giants. Despite the scare, Skattebo said he expects to be okay, especially with the Giants set to enter their Week 8 bye. His status will be one to monitor when the Giants resume practicing ahead of Week 9’s game against the Eagles, but for now, it doesn’t sound like there’s too much to be worried about here. Skattebo rushed 17 times for 124 yards and a touchdown last week after failing to see a touch in Week 6 following his costly Week 5 fumble against the Commanders.

Skattebo looked rejuvenated after his benching, bulldozing a few Houston tacklers on his touchdown run that ended with a backflip. He did pull up late on a 42-yarder that could have sealed the game, and he seemed to be gesturing towards his hamstring on the sideline. We don’t have a full update on that as the Giants quickly closed out the game thereafter, but Skattebo will get a bye week to heal up as we try to figure out how this Giants backfield will sort itself out. Skattebo’s fantasy value looks to have bounced back to some real extent today.

Skattebo was benched for his fumbling issues last week. He did not touch the ball once, while Najee Harris, Tyrone Tracy, and Devin Singletary all got a few opportunities. The team then cut Harris a few days after Sunday’s loss. After a week in the doghouse, Skattebo appears to be back as the team’s top runner, though we still expect a committee approach from John Harbaugh. Rapoport even said that it’s unclear who will draw the start, so we aren’t sold on Skattebo as a safe fantasy option this week. At best, he’s a high-risk RB3.

Sigh. Three-player backfields are generally fantasy-unfriendly situations, and this one is no different. Skattebo is a capable dual-threat player who has seemingly been limited by the significant ankle injury he suffered last year. The Giants could get him more involved in the passing game, but Tracy can contribute there as well, muddying that opportunity. Singletary would not be a contributor for many NFL teams, but lucky him, he’s a New York Giant. Skattebo and Tracy are viable FLEX options, though both are likely touchdown-dependent.

Hughes makes clear that he thinks Skattebo’s time as the clear-cut lead back is over, recapping coach John Harbaugh’s offseason attempts to acquire a bellcow, while noting that Skattebo is currently in the doghouse. Hughes believes Skattebo is a nice complementary player who can function as a physical change-of-pace option. The biggest issue the Giants face in replacing him is cost. He thinks a player like Jonathan Taylor will cost a Day 2 pick, at least, and he is not sure Taylor is worth that, given the Giants’ long-term plans for the 2027 draft capital they’ve accrued via various personnel moves. Trading away Kayvon Thibodeaux is an option, but doing so is challenging with Brian Burns (knee) out for the year.

The move comes a couple days after Harris criticized the New York coaching staff for its handling of the backfield touch distribution. “It’s hard to get into a rhythm with one or two plays...if you’re getting a play here and then get taken out for a series, there’s nothing you could do,” Harris said after the Giants’ Week 6 loss to the Saints. “I’ve never been through none of this before.” Harris had 31 rushes for 99 scoreless yards before getting the boot. With Harris gone, Cam Skattebo could get another chance to see increased playing time after being all but benched last week. Tyrone Tracy, who led the team in rushing attempts against New Orleans, could be the de facto lead back for now.

Tyrone Tracy appeared to do the most with his opportunities last week, scoring the game’s only two touchdowns. Najee Harris was bottled up and Cam Skattebo was soft benched while Devin Singletary led the team in snaps while they were in comeback mode for most of the second half. By the letter of what he’s offering here, Tracy is probably the player who should get the majority of the snaps against the Texans. In actuality, we have no idea what will happen here and this quote doesn’t really help us. “I don’t like (rotating backs) either,” Harbaugh said per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan after the game. “One of those guys needs to step up. Somebody needs to step up and be the back. And none of those guys have done that yet.” We suspect we’ll be diving beat writer opinions ahead of Sunday.

Harris started the game for the Giants after it was reported Cam Skatteboo would be downgraded after his fumble issues. Fantasy managers that picked up Harris to start or stash will be immensely disappointed to see four carries and 11 snaps on the day. A pass-heavy game script played a role in that, but he totaled just two yards and has been a largely ineffective runner this season. Harris can remain off fantasy rosters heading into Week 7 against the Texans.