Cam Skattebo led all New York Giants running backs in carries (81), yards (294) and rushing touchdowns (1) entering the team's NFL Week 7 game against the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 18.
Those numbers didn't change after the game.
Skattebo didn't receive a single touch for the Giants in their 34-27 loss to the Saints in MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
He played only six snaps, which raised a lot of eyebrows throughout the league.
The Giants rushed the ball 20 times for 84 yards in the loss, none of the carries coming from Skattebo.
Why did Cam Skattebo get demoted vs New Orleans Saints?
Skattebo told The Athletic that he was demoted because of his ball security issues this season.
He has fumbled the ball four times this
season, including a costly fumble in the team's tie against the Washington Commanders in Week 6.
"I got punished for what I did (last week)," Skattebo told The Athletic. "I understand it, so I gotta be ready when coach calls my name, and that wasn't today."
He added: "It's hard, but I've made mistakes, and I got to own up to them. If that is what they want to do — keep me on the sidelines because of that — I totally understand."
Cam Skattebo: “I got punished for what I did (from last week). I understand it so I gotta be ready when coach calls my name and that wasn’t today.”
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) October 18, 2026
“It’s hard, but I've made mistakes, and I got to own up to them.” #giants pic.twitter.com/G1brLeqJFJ
John Harbaugh explains Cam Skattebo's role in loss to Saints
Giants coach John Harbaugh told Yahoo Sports that Skattebo was not benched against the Saints.
"It was not by design for him not to carry the ball," he said, via Yahoo Sports. "When he was in there, we didn't call any runs. You're not thinking about which back is in the game and how many runs they're getting."
John Harbaugh says “we didn’t bench Cam Skattebo” and it “wasn’t by design” that the Giants RB had zero carries today after recent fumbles. pic.twitter.com/WeiYToCWl4
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 18, 2026
How long will Cam Skattebo's demotion last?
The Giants play at the Houston Texans in NFL Week 7 on Oct. 25, before having a bye week in NFL Week 8. They play at the Philadelphia Eagles in NFL Week 9 on Nov. 8.
The running back said he would be ready to go when his name was called again.
"I didn't expect to have zero," Skattebo said of his zero carries in Week 6, according to The Athletic. "I was expecting to not play as much just like I did. The message was to keep your head down and keep going. They understand the type of player I am, and I just got to continue doing my job and do it to the best of my ability."
Backup QB J.J. McCarthy led New York in rushing in the loss to the Saints, with two carries for 26 yards.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. had six carries for 18 yards and a touchdown, receiving the most rushing attempts for the Giants.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What happened to Cam Skattebo? Giants RB sees limited play vs Saints
