Cam Skattebo Reclaims Giants' Lead Back Role With 124 Yards vs Texans

5 days ago

3 min read

Updated: 17 hours ago

Published Oct 26, 2026, 8:14 AM ET | By Vincent Rapisardi

Key points

Cam Skattebo returned as the Giants' lead running back in Week 7, as NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported he would, and carried 17 times for 124 yards.
His 16-yard touchdown put New York ahead late, and his 42-yard run in overtime set up the winning score.
He did not fumble, one week after a Week 5 fumble cost him every Week 6 carry.

Cam Skattebo got his lead back role back Sunday in Houston, and he ran for a career-high 124 yards. The Giants beat the Texans 27-21 in overtime, one week after Skattebo did not get a single carry.

The move was first reported Sunday morning by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and shared by Big Blue Film Room on X. Skattebo had been demoted after his late fumble in Week 5 against Washington.

Skattebo said he "got punished" for the fumble, as covered in Cam Skattebo Explains Zero Giants Carries. ESPN's Jordan Raanan then said to expect him more in the mix against Houston.

How Cam Skattebo Took Back the Lead Back Role

Rapoport's report said the Giants would return to their original plan, with Skattebo as the lead back. Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary were expected to mix in situationally.

That is how it played out. Skattebo had 17 of the Giants' 34 carries, per the ESPN box score. Tracy had six for 15 yards before leaving with a hamstring injury, and Singletary had five for 41.

Skattebo averaged 7.3 yards per carry.

The Runs That Decided the Game

His 16-yard touchdown run gave the Giants a 21-14 lead with 8:55 left in regulation. Houston tied it with 52 seconds remaining.

In overtime, Skattebo broke a 42-yard run. Singletary scored from 30 yards out on the next play, according to Giants.com. The full game story is in Giants vs Texans Final Score: Singletary's OT Run Wins It, 27-21.

Why the Washington Fumble Cost Him Week 6

The fumble came in overtime of the Week 5 tie. With the Giants at the Washington 24 and in field goal range, Skattebo had the ball punched out on a run, per NFL.com.

It was his fourth fumble of the season and the first one the Giants lost. "Skatt played a hell of a game, but he's going to have to learn from that," Harbaugh said afterward.

Skattebo then sat for all but six snaps in the 34-27 loss to the Saints. Harbaugh's explanation is in Harbaugh on Giants RB Rotation: 'Our Run Game Hasn't Earned That Yet'.

Against Houston, the Giants had no fumbles at all.

By the Numbers: Cam Skattebo With the Giants

Season	Carries / Yards (avg.)	Fumbles / Lost
2025 (8 games)	101 / 410 (4.1)	1 / 1
2026 (7 games)	98 / 418 (4.3)	4 / 1

Source: Giants.com's Cam Skattebo career stats, updated after Week 7.

Before Sunday, he was averaging 3.6 yards per carry this season. One game lifted it to 4.3.

What Comes Next for the Giants Backfield

The Giants have their bye in Week 8, then visit Philadelphia on Nov. 8. Tracy's hamstring is the injury to watch, and the split behind Skattebo may depend on it.

Our Take: Cam Skattebo Is the Best Back the Giants Have

I've been saying it since the Saints game: Cam Skattebo needs to be featured, because he's the best back the Giants have. During that loss, all I could ask was where he was.

That night, I said the plan should be simple: start McCarthy, get the run game going and feature Cam. The next morning, I said I would legit give him something like 20 carries against Houston.

So when Rapoport's report came out, my reaction was one word: nice. He got 17 carries, and after the win I said I loved the Skattebo revenge game.

The ball security numbers are real, with four fumbles this season, and Skattebo has said himself that he has to hold onto the football.

But back in September, I posted that he was putting the offense on his back. That is the player the Giants need, and it starts with getting him the ball.

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