Cam Skattebo’s return to the field was supposed to be the headline Sunday night. Instead, one replay turned into the moment everybody noticed.
The New York Giants running back, back after a brutal right ankle dislocation and fractured fibula ended his rookie season last October, made it through ten months of surgery and rehab to get back on the active roster without an injury designation for Week 1. But during the game against the Dallas Cowboys, a shot to the kidney drew attention when a Cowboys player appeared to punch him and the officials let it go. One referee was seen looking directly at Skattebo as the blow landed, and no flag came out.
“How does the ref miss the cheap shot kidney punch on Cam Skateboo???” one person asked.
Even with that moment hanging over the night, Skattebo kept producing. He had 17 carries for 73 rushing yards and a touchdown against Dallas, averaging 4.4 yards per carry and ripping off a long run of 10 yards. His three-yard touchdown run got the Giants on the board early.
He also put the ball on the ground once, but he tracked it down himself in the fourth quarter to avoid a turnover.
His running gave the Giants steady work on the ground all night, and a win would be a major lift for a young team in its second year of a rebuild. With Odell back on the team, it could give Giants fans hope of possibly sneaking into the playoffs.
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