The Giants are preparing to reshuffle their backfield for Week 6, and the biggest loser in that move looks to be Cam Skattebo.
New York heads into its matchup with the Saints sitting in first place in the NFC East, with a chance to keep building on a strong start. Even with Jaxson Dart still out, Jameis Winston and the offense have done enough to keep the Giants moving in the right direction. But the running back room is now getting a closer look, and the change is tied directly to Skattebo’s ball-security problems.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported that a shift is coming after Skattebo’s fumbling issues nearly derailed the Giants in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders. He wrote, "Expectation is there will be a change to the Giants' RB rotation, per sources," Raanan reports. "Najee Harris is likely to have a larger role, with Cam Skattebo downgraded but still part of the mix after the fumbles."
Skattebo has put the ball on the ground four times through five games, and his overtime fumble against Washington may have been the one that pushed the team toward a different approach. With the Giants already in field goal range and in position to win, that mistake opened the door for the Commanders to seize control.
The plan now appears to be a heavier workload for Najee Harris, though this won’t be a one-back setup. Harris is expected to get the main share of the work, but he’ll be rotating with Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy, and Devin Singletary. All four backs are expected to be active Sunday.
Skattebo will still have a role, but the Giants are clearly pulling him back from the lead spot for now. After the way Week 5 unfolded, that change was hard to avoid.
In Other News...
Giants Catch A Break With Saints QB Before Crucial Matchup
Tyler Shough has been dealing with a hand issue that could matter a lot to the Giants as they get ready for a pivotal Week 6 matchup with New Orleans. The Saints quarterback has stayed on the field despite the injury, and it clearly showed up in his recent game against the Vikings, where his effectiveness was affected.
New Orleans had kept the situation quiet until just before the Giants game, adding another layer of uncertainty to a meeting that already carried weight for both teams. For New York, the timing at least offers a better read on the challenge ahead, even if the Saints still have a quarterback willing to play through it. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Are Shuffling Two Key Spots Right Before Kickoff
Right before kickoff against the Saints, the Giants had to shuffle two spots that matter a lot in how the offense is going to function. Jermaine Eluemunor is out with a calf injury, which opens the door for Marcus Mbow to start at right tackle, while rookie J.C. Davis is active as a swing tackle in case the protection plan needs another adjustment.
The backfield is changing too, with Najee Harris set to start at running back instead of Cam Skattebo. Sixth-round pick Bobby Jamison-Travis is active for the first time as New York sorts through its game-day options, and the injury report from both sides has left a noticeable list of inactives on a day when roster flexibility suddenly matters more than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Have A Real NFC East Opening To Prove They Belong
The Giants have spent the first month in a position they rarely get to enjoy: alone at the top of the NFC East. At 3-1-1, they sit ahead of a division that has been slow to sort itself out, with Philadelphia and Dallas both stumbling through 2-3 starts and Washington dealing with its own early problems. For a team that has spent plenty of recent seasons chasing relevance, the current standings create a legitimate opening to show this is more than a temporary perch.
John Harbaugh has liked what he has seen from his group so far, pointing to the teams work ethic and the promise it has shown as it moves into another important test. The timing matters because the Giants are about to enter a stretch where they can either turn a shaky division race into real breathing room or let the rest of the NFC East back into the picture. Even with the standings in their favor, there is still plenty to prove before anyone in New York starts feeling comfortable. [Read more 🡒]