Giants Face Setback Against Eagles
The New York Giants’ season took a disappointing turn on Sunday. Not only did they fall to the Philadelphia Eagles, losing 38-20 and bringing their record to 2-6, but they also watched promising rookie running back Cam Skatebo suffer a significant ankle injury in the second quarter.
While the specifics of the injury and the recovery timeline remain unclear, Skatebo underwent surgery on Sunday night, which likely puts an end to his 2025 season. This is undoubtedly a major setback for a Giants team that has struggled throughout the year.
With the NFL schedule being relentless, New York’s next game against the 49ers is just six days away. This raises the question: what will the team do next? Let’s explore possible replacements for Skatebo.
Aside from Skatebo, who will be placed on injured reserve, the Giants have only two running backs currently on their active roster: Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary. Tracy Jr. took on the bulk of the workload after Skatebo’s injury on Sunday.
Although Tracy Jr. hasn’t had a stellar season so far, he seems to be the frontrunner to step into Skatebo’s role. He has recorded 159 yards and one touchdown on 45 carries across six games, also adding 68 yards on 10 receptions. His performance this year hasn’t exactly screamed “feature back,” but the 25-year-old appears eager to take on the responsibilities of Skatebo.
It’s worth noting that, despite not being a standout running back, Tracy Jr. still led the Giants in rushing last season with 1,123 total scrimmage yards and six touchdowns. He had a rocky start this season due to a shoulder injury, allowing Skatebo to take the lead, but he is now the most viable option on the roster.
Speaking of options, Singletary has been relatively quiet this season. This seven-year veteran has only carried the ball 28 times for 84 yards and had two carries for zero yards on Sunday.
The Giants also have some returning sophomores, including Dante Miller on their practice squad. Although he hasn’t logged any regular-season carries since entering the league in 2024, he did rush for 188 yards on 52 carries during two preseason seasons with the Giants.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Skatebo’s injury gives the Giants a chance to consider trades to boost their running back depth. The market will remain active until the November 4 deadline, and it seems there may be a few suitable candidates available.
One player frequently mentioned is Jets’ Breece Hall, who could potentially be a target. The Jets haven’t officially pushed to trade him yet, but that could change if the right offer comes along.
Other names of interest include Tony Pollard from Tennessee and Jalen Wright from Miami. Both are on teams struggling this season and could be available. Pollard would bring experience and proven production to the Giants, while Wright, still developing, has untapped potential that hasn’t been maximized by the Dolphins.
Head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen are both under scrutiny, especially with the Giants facing a third consecutive losing season. However, a major move to strengthen their running back position seems improbable given the current circumstances surrounding Skatebo’s injury. At 2-6, this organization isn’t in a position to part with valuable assets like draft picks for a replacement, even for someone crucial to their long-term strategy and future hopes.
While optimism may be warranted when opportunities arise, Giants fans will likely need to adjust to seeing Tyrone Tracy Jr. leading the charge for the remainder of the 2025 season.
