When the New York Giants lost 38-20 to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, one moment resonated far beyond the final score. Rookie running back Cam Skattebo’s devastating ankle injury brought the NFL community to a standstill, prompting a flood of emotion and support from players and fans alike.
Among the most heartfelt reactions was from the Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who clarified his respect for the young player.
What Did Travis Kelce Say About Cam Skattebo’s Injury?
During this week’s “New Heights” podcast, Kelce, known for his fiery personality and respect for toughness, was visibly moved while discussing the Giants’ rookie. “Sending all the love to him,” Kelce said. “Hopefully, he can get back, man, the NFL absolutely loves a motherf**ker like that, just a tough as nails dude. Hopefully, he gets back in tip-top shape.”
He described how much admiration Skattebo had already earned in his short time with the Giants, highlighting the emotional weight of the moment. “Big Dom Desandro sent over some pizza and cheese sticks. I mean, the guy got a standing ovation as he was getting carted off,” Kelce recalled.
Kelce concluded with perhaps his most powerful statement, reflecting not just compassion but a deep respect for the rookie’s style of play. “Nobody wants to see one of the most loved players in the league get hurt like that… hopefully he gets back healthy and back to running dudes over and being the epitome of a f*cking NFL football player.” For a player like Kelce to praise a first-year running back so emphatically shows just how quickly Skattebo had made his mark across the league.
Skattebo’s injury occurred early in Sunday’s matchup, cutting a promising rookie season short. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the 2025 third-round pick suffered a dislocated ankle, along with a fibula fracture and deltoid ligament rupture. The severity of the injury forced immediate surgery at a Philadelphia hospital.
#Giants RB Cam Skattebo, who was placed on IR yesterday, suffered not only a dislocated ankle, but also a fibula fracture and deltoid ligament rupture, sources say.
Surgery was right away to close the wound, and it was a success. NYG expects him back for the offseason program. pic.twitter.com/rwk0DQaFRj
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 29, 2025
Dr. Guillem Gonzalez-Lomas, an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, explained the situation’s urgency. He told the New York Post, “The fact that he had surgery (Sunday) night probably tells us that they felt it was very time sensitive.” He added that the decision to operate immediately suggested a serious injury that required urgent stabilization.
How Well Was Skattebo Performing Before the Setback?
Before the injury, Skattebo had emerged as one of the Giants’ most consistent offensive contributors. According to PFSN’s RB Impact metric, he earned a 76.7 impact score, which ranked him 20th among running backs for the 2025 season and 130th overall since 2013.
In just eight games, he logged 101 rushing attempts for 410 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He was also a factor in the passing game, where he was targeted 32 times. His energy and grit meant much to the locker room, as teammate Jaxson Dart was visibly emotional while Skattebo was carted off the field.
Following the successful surgery, Skattebo was discharged from the hospital on Monday morning and is expected to rejoin the Giants during the offseason. Reports suggest he could resume football activities by July 2026, a timeline that offers hope for a full recovery.
While the road back will be long, the wave of support, especially from established stars like Travis Kelce, proves how deeply Skattebo’s toughness and spirit have resonated across the NFL. Fans and players alike will watch his eventual return closely.
