The New York Giants believed they found a steal when they drafted Cam Skattebo with the 105th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Paired alongside first-round quarterback Jaxson Dart, Skattebo quickly validated that belief, emerging as arguably the most productive rookie running back in football through the first seven weeks of the season. However, a gruesome ankle injury in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles ended his season.
Cam Skattebo Was Prepared to Retire from NFL
The injury, a dislocated right ankle with an open tibia fracture, fractured fibula, and ruptured deltoid ligament, ended Skattebo’s rookie campaign and sent him into months of rehab.
Now, heading into his second season under new head coach John Harbaugh, Skattebo revealed on the “Up and Adams Show” that the injury nearly drove him out of the league.
“Coming out of college, going in the NFL, I think I gave myself one rule, and it was if I ever got a major injury, I was done playing,” Skattebo said. “That happened seven games into my career. So, it kind of sucked. But I think that really helped me find who I am as a player, and as a person, you know, I was able to sit at home for 14 hours a day, do absolutely nothing for weeks on end.”
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Skattebo finished his rookie season with 410 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns on 101 carries, and added 24 receptions for 207 yards and 2 more scores in 8 games. According to PFN’s RB Impact Metric, he posted an impact score of 70.9, ranking 40th at his position.
Skattebo also revealed the thought process that went behind his decision to continue playing in the NFL despite earlier considering retirement.
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“The first month was kind of like, ‘Damn, do I really want to do this?,'” Skattebo added. “Then, you know, it was seven games. I was like, ‘You know, I got to go back and play, there’s no shot.'”
“I did feel that way, not having the injury, not learning about myself,” he continued. “But I think that gave me an extra step of finding that deep place and, you know, coming out of a hole that I didn’t know I could come out of. So, I’m appreciative of it, and I’m excited to see what I can build off of it.”
Giants RB Cam Skattebo considered retirement after his season-ending injury during his rookie year:@camskattebo5 | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/CZ3HYbioPn
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) September 3, 2026
With Harbaugh now leading the franchise and Matt Nagy calling plays, Skattebo enters 2026 atop the Giants’ depth chart ahead of Najee Harris, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Devin Singletary.
The Giants will hope that clarity sticks and that Skattebo’s ankle holds up for a full 17-game season. He is one of the most electrifying players on the roster and a fan favorite, bringing an edge Harbaugh needs on his team.
In a competitive NFC East where the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Commanders all have legitimate postseason aspirations, Skattebo being healthy will go a long way for the Giants.
New York opens the season against Dallas on Sunday night next week, and Skattebo will hope to make an immediate impact in his sophomore season.
