Cam Skattebo Injury Update: Giants Rookie Star Carted Off After Gruesome Ankle Dislocation vs Eagles

Breaking News - October 26, 2025

New York Giants' breakout rookie running back Cam Skattebo suffered a devastating ankle injury during Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, bringing his remarkable debut season to a heartbreaking halt. The fourth-round draft pick was carted off the field with an air cast on his right leg after what witnesses described as one of the most gruesome injuries of the 2025 NFL season.

What Happened to Cam Skattebo?

The injury occurred midway through the second quarter when Skattebo attempted to catch a pass from rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. His right ankle got caught underneath an Eagles player during the tackle, causing his foot to turn sharply to the right in an unnatural position.

The Giants immediately ruled him out for the rest of the game and transported him to a Philadelphia-area hospital for evaluation. The team later announced that Skattebo was scheduled to undergo surgery Sunday night.

Cam Skattebo Injury Video Reaction

The injury was so severe that Fox Sports declined to show a replay during the broadcast. Players from both teams immediately recognized the severity of the situation - one Eagles player ran away from the scene, while several Giants players turned away to avoid looking at the injury.

Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who has become a close friend of Skattebo, had a visceral and emotional reaction to seeing his teammate injured. Dart was consoled by teammates after making his way back to the sideline. "That's my boy, so seeing him go down and obviously, reacting to what happened, it sucks. It's the worst part of this game," Dart said after the game.

Offensive lineman Greg Van Roten, who was closest to Skattebo when the injury occurred, immediately called for medical help. "I saw him on the ground with his leg trapped," he explained. "When he pulled it out, you could see his foot was the wrong way. Obviously, that is not normal".

Skattebo Ankle Injury Details

The official diagnosis confirmed a dislocation of Skattebo's right ankle. Medical staff quickly stabilized his leg in an air cast before transporting him off the field on a cart. Despite the excruciating pain, Skattebo waved to the crowd as he was being removed from the field, receiving a standing ovation from the Philadelphia fans.

This type of ankle dislocation in NFL players typically requires immediate surgical intervention and can sideline athletes for several months, depending on the extent of ligament and bone damage involved.

Is Cam Skattebo Out for the Season?

While the Giants have not officially announced a timeline for Skattebo's return, the severity of the injury strongly suggests his rookie campaign is over. Multiple reports indicate that Skattebo's breakout rookie season appears to be finished.

The injury is particularly devastating, as Skattebo was in the running for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award but will undoubtedly fall out of the race now.

Dislocated ankle injuries in the NFL typically require 4-6 months of recovery time, though the exact timeline depends on whether there was an associated fracture or significant ligament damage requiring reconstruction.

Cam Skattebo Stats Before Injury

Through six complete games and part of a seventh, Skattebo had accumulated 398 net rushing yards and 159 receiving yards. He also scored five rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown across his first seven games.

Entering Week 8, Skattebo was leading the Giants in carries (98), rushing yards (398), and rushing touchdowns (five), and he had added 23 catches for 189 yards through the air.

In Sunday's game before his injury, Skattebo had three carries for 12 yards and one catch for 18 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown reception was his second in as many weeks and proved to be Jaxson Dart's only TD throw of the game.

Skattebo's Impact on the Giants

The Arizona State product had become an immediate sensation in New York since being selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He jumped into the starting lineup three weeks into the campaign and has been one of the Giants' top weapons ever since.

His three-touchdown performance against the Eagles on October 9 was an early highlight of what appeared destined to be a prolific career. The rookie duo of Skattebo and quarterback Jaxson Dart had energized a Giants offense that was struggling early in the season.

"It's really hard to see," wide receiver Darius Slayton said. "A young guy who was having a heck of a year. Somebody who is a unifying personality, an energetic personality. It's sad to see him go down".

Brian Daboll and the Giants React to Injury

Giants head coach Brian Daboll expressed his devastation over the injury. "Yeah, feel absolutely terrible for the young man," Daboll said. "Obviously, saw it looked bad. I know you feel for anybody on your team that goes down and has a really bad injury, and I know the players feel the same way about [Skattebo]".

Along with his on-field production, Skattebo had become an emotional leader for a Giants team that showed progress after an 0-3 start, going 2-2 in their next four games.

Giants Running Back Depth Chart After Skattebo Injury

With Skattebo sidelined indefinitely, the Giants will turn to their backup running backs. Tyrone Tracy Jr. is the next man up in the backfield and figures to return to the starting role he held at the beginning of the year.

Tracy had been the Giants' primary ball carrier to start the season before Skattebo took over the featured role. The Giants' running back depth chart will now rely heavily on Tracy to shoulder the offensive load that Skattebo had been carrying.

Hip Drop Tackle Controversy

While the specific tackle that injured Skattebo has not been officially classified as a hip drop tackle, the mechanism of injury - where his leg was caught underneath a defender during a tackle - has reignited conversations about player safety in the NFL. The league has been working to eliminate dangerous tackling techniques that put players at increased risk of lower leg injuries.

Jaxson Dart Connection

The injury was particularly emotional given the close relationship between Skattebo and fellow rookie Jaxson Dart. The pair, despite early ups and downs, looked like potential building blocks for a brighter Giants future.

Skattebo, displaying his toughness even in the moment of injury, initially asked a teammate for help to walk off what was clearly a serious leg injury. His teammate appropriately declined, allowing the training staff time to properly stabilize the injury before transport.

Eagles Players Show Respect

Former Giants star running back Saquon Barkley, now with the Eagles, offered words of encouragement. "From everything I've heard, the type of person he is and how he comes to work through adversity and the mindset he has that got him to this point is going to help him get through it," said Barkley, who himself suffered a torn ACL while playing for New York in 2020.

Impact on Giants' Season

The loss of Skattebo represents a significant setback for the Giants' offense. The rookie had provided a spark and consistency in the running game that the team had lacked in recent seasons. His versatility as both a runner and receiver made him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

The Giants went on to lose the game 38-20 to the Eagles, with the emotional toll of losing their star rookie clearly affecting the team's performance in the second half.

Cam Skattebo's Road to the NFL

Before his NFL breakthrough, Skattebo had an impressive college career. He made a late push for the Heisman Trophy at Arizona State and finished fifth in the award voting. That success came two years after he shone at Sacramento State as an FCS All-American.

Draft analysts now view Skattebo as one of the biggest steals of the 2025 NFL Draft. He came off the board in the fourth round but outperformed every other rookie skill position player in total yardage before his injury.

Fantasy Football and Betting Impact

The injury also had immediate implications for fantasy football managers and sports bettors. DraftKings activated its Early Exit program, meaning qualifying bets on Skattebo's prop lines would be refunded within 24 hours.

Recovery Timeline and Prognosis

While the Giants have not provided a specific recovery timeline, similar ankle dislocations in NFL history have typically required 6-12 months of rehabilitation. The severity of any associated ligament damage or fractures will ultimately determine when Skattebo can return to football activities.

The immediate focus will be on successful surgery to realign the joint and repair any damaged structures. This will be followed by a lengthy rehabilitation process focusing on regaining strength, mobility, and confidence in the injured ankle.

Looking Ahead for the Giants

The Giants must now adjust their offensive game plan without their most dynamic playmaker. The Giants will turn to Tyrone Tracy Jr. to fill the void left by Skattebo, though replacing the rookie's production and leadership will be a significant challenge.

For Skattebo, the focus shifts to recovery and rehabilitation, intending to return stronger for the 2026 season. At just 23 years old, he has plenty of time to bounce back from this setback and continue what was shaping up to be a special NFL career.

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Key Takeaways:

• Injury Type: Dislocated right ankle
• When It Happened: Second quarter vs Eagles on October 26, 2025
• Surgery: Scheduled for Sunday night at the Philadelphia hospital
• Stats Before Injury: 398 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs, 189 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD
• Season Outlook: Likely done for the 2025 season
• Replacement: Tyrone Tracy Jr. to assume primary RB duties

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Last Updated: October 26, 2025, 8:00 PM ET

*For the latest updates on Cam Skattebo's injury status and recovery, follow the New York Giants' official channels and check back for