A Promising Rookie's Early Setback: Giants' Cam Skattebo Carted Off with Ankle Injury

You know, there’s just a particular gut-punch feeling when a promising rookie’s momentum gets derailed before it even really begins. And that’s precisely what happened on Tuesday during the New York Giants’ Organized Team Activities (OTAs), as running back Cam Skattebo, a fifth-round pick with so much potential, was unfortunately carted off the field.

It was a right ankle injury, sustained in what seemed like a fairly innocuous moment: Skattebo, a man known for his incredible versatility on the field, simply fell awkwardly after making a catch. One moment he was practicing, showing the flashes that got him drafted; the next, trainers were converging, a stark, unwelcome sight for anyone watching, not least for Skattebo himself.

The team’s medical staff quickly attended to him, and an air cast was visibly applied to his lower right leg, a clear indicator that this was more than just a minor knock. He was then, inevitably, loaded onto the cart and taken away for further evaluation. It’s always tough to see, really, but especially for a young player trying to make his mark in the high-stakes world of the NFL.

Head coach Brian Daboll, addressing reporters later, didn’t have many concrete answers yet, which is typical for these kinds of situations. “We’ll know more after he gets evaluated,” Daboll stated, his tone no doubt reflecting the team’s concern. But he did make a point of noting Skattebo’s performance leading up to the injury: “He’s been doing a good job for us.” And that, in truth, makes the whole incident sting just a little bit more, doesn't it?

Skattebo arrived in New York fresh off an impressive college career at Oregon State, where he truly carved out a reputation as a Swiss Army knife. We’re talking about a player who, in 2023 alone, rushed for over 1,000 yards—1,040 to be exact—and found the end zone nine times. But it wasn’t just the running; he was also an H-back, a kick returner… a player who could, and did, do it all. The Giants, it seemed, had big plans for his unique skill set.

Being the 160th overall pick in the draft, Skattebo was certainly on a mission to prove he belonged, to carve out a significant role. And he had, by all accounts, started strong in the early days of these offseason workouts. Now, everyone holds their breath, hoping this ankle injury isn't as severe as it looked, hoping that his journey with the Giants hasn't been put on hold for too long. For a rookie, every single snap, every practice rep, every chance to impress is gold. And for Skattebo, for now, that's paused.