Giants' John Harbaugh Should Be Honest About Cam Skattebo

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo did not get a single carry during the Giants' loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, and after the game, Skattebo said he was being "punished" for his costly fumble against the Washington Commanders the week prior.

Skattebo fumbled four times over his first five games this season, so New York's displeasure with the sophomore halfback was understandable. Skattebo himself even said as much following Sunday's defeat.

But head coach John Harbaugh was singing a bit of a different tune.

When asked about Skattebo's doughnut in the carries category, Harbaugh declined to say it was because of what happened versus the Commanders.

"It was not by design," Harbaugh said. "I mean, all those guys were taking equal reps in the first half. We were trying to see who could make something happen, who could kind of get a hot hand and earn it. When he was in there, we didn't call any runs."

Sorry, but I find that hard to believe.

Tyrone Tracy had been in Harbaugh's doghouse all season, and then suddenly, he led the Giants with six rushing attempts in Week 6. Devin Singletary, who had been inactive since Week 3, had a few touches. So did Najee Harris.

The only Giants running back who did not get a carry was Skattebo, which marked the first time in his young NFL career that that occurred.

Yes, New York's ground game has been struggling, so it's entirely reasonable for Harbaugh to want to try something new. But shutting out your No. 1 back with zero carries was almost certainly by design.

And again, I get it. Skattebo has not performed up to par in 2026. He's averaging just 3.6 yards per carry, and his ball security has been atrocious. It's also uncharacteristic of the former fourth-round pick, who fumbled just once in eight games last year and didn't have such an issue in college.

But he absolutely has to be better, and the Giants would be better off with just about anyone else if Skattebo is going to keep putting the rock on the turf.

Perhaps Harbaugh was just trying to protect Skattebo with his postgame explanation. If that were the case, then fine. But I think everyone can see what's going on here.

Skattebo isn't playing well. The Giants' run game has been awful. Harbaugh was trying to find another solution.

Unfortunately, it didn't work against the Saints, as J.J. McCarthy ended up leading Big Blue in rushing with 26 yards on two attempts.

Hopefully, Skattebo is a heck of a lot better next week when the Giants face the Houston Texans on the road. They're going to need him.