Giants RB Cam Skattebo calls his shot for Week 1 game vs. Cowboys

The status of New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo is a major story hovering over the franchise amid his recovery from the gruesome dislocation of his right ankle that he suffered during the Giants' Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 26, 2025.

While speaking at the Giants Town Hall in Manhattan on Monday night, Skattebo called his shot for the club's 2026 Week 1 "Sunday Night Football" home game versus the rival Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13. 

Will Cam Skattebo be ready to play against Cowboys in Week 1?

"Obviously, there’s ups and downs in the injury process and coming back and rehabbing, but the mental battle has been the hardest part: making sure that I trust it fully," Skattebo explained, per Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press. "I’m a little ways out. Not too far, but I’ll be ready to go. Week 1, I’ll be ready to go."

Skattebo and Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart were both rookies at this time last year. The two then emerged as playmakers and needed offensive sparks for a team that began the season with three consecutive losses. 

That said, the 2025 Giants ultimately suffered nine straight defeats amid a stretch of games that cost then-head coach Brian Daboll his job. Big Blue hired longtime Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh to serve as Daboll's replacement this past winter. 

Cam Skattebo shares big prediction for what he'll achieve as a second-year pro

Skattebo has received advice from San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner regarding how to recover from such a serious physical setback. Before Skattebo's debut pro season was cut short, he rushed for 410 yards and five touchdowns on 101 carries. He also caught 24 passes for 207 yards and two scores.

"I do not consider that successful for me," Skattebo said about the numbers he produced as a rookie. "I had 400 yards on 100 carries. When I play 17-plus games this year, it’s going to be 300 carries for over 2,000 yards."

Having Skattebo as a weapon for 17 contests would make life easier for Dart from September through January. However, the Giants must first focus on ensuring that Skattebo is 100 percent and fully fit for in-game action by the time Labor Day arrives this September.