How Giants offense adapts after key RB injury

In the New York Giants' 2025 home opener, Big Blue faced off against a fellow 0-2 team, the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite an explosive offensive performance in Week 2, the Giants' offense fell flat on Sunday night. 

After scoring 37 points in an overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 14, many had hopes the Giants could string together positive outings. Sunday night, though, the Giants only posted nine points, dropping the game against the Chiefs, 22-9. 

Down a starter

Late in the first quarter, Giants quarterback Russell Wilson completed a three-yard pass to running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. As Tracy ran wide towards the Chiefs' sideline, he was tackled and landed hard on his right shoulder. 

According to Jordan Raanan at ESPN, Tracy suffered a dislocated right shoulder and is expected to "miss some time." 

At this point, it is unknown how long he will miss or if an IR stint will be needed. The average recovery time for this type of injury is between four and six weeks, depending on the severity. 

Next man up

In that one quarter Sunday, Tracy totaled 29 rushing yards on seven attempts while catching two of three targets for seven yards. In his absence, the Giants' first-year back, Cam Skattebo, took over the lead role in the backfield. 

After Tracy's injury, Skattebo outsnapped veteran back Devin Singletary, 32-9. How the Giants played after Tracy's injury may be a sign of things to come in the near future: a Skattebo-led ground-and-pound style of offense. 

The Giants' passing game struggled again on Sunday. After Wilson threw for 450 yards in Week 2, the 14-year veteran only threw for 160 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions on 18-of-32 passing. 

With Wilson struggling to find consistency, Skattebo performed well, totaling 60 yards on the ground on 10 carries while also finding the end zone. In addition, Skattebo was New York's leading receiver, catching six of eight targets for 61 yards. 

Skattebo is no stranger to a heavy workload. In his last year at Arizona State, he ran the ball 293 times and caught 45 passes in 13 games, an average of 26 touches a game. 

Upcoming schedule

Over the next three weeks, the Giants will play two of the league's top teams. In Week 4, the Giants host the 3-0 Los Angeles Chargers before heading to New Orleans to take on the 0-3 Saints. 

After the Saints, the Giants host the division rival and defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football. 

Los Angeles and Philadelphia are two of the league's top defenses. The Chargers have allowed just 167 rushing yards to opposing running backs through three games. 

Although the Eagles have allowed the tenth-most rushing yards to opposing backs (309 yards) this season, the Eagles allowed the seventh-fewest rushing yards to backs last season (1,357 yards). 

There's hope that Skattebo can still perform against these tough defenses. Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins just ran for 83 yards and a touchdown on Sunday against the Chargers, while Chargers tailback Kyren Williams ran for 94 and caught a score against the Eagles. 

Adding to the Giants' offensive storylines is New York's quarterback situation. With another poor start from Wilson, the time for rookie Jaxson Dart may be coming soon. 

Regardless of whether it's Wilson or Dart under center, either signal-caller will need a productive run game behind them. That run game will be spearheaded by the hard-hitting Skattebo until Tracy can make his return.