Giants HC John Harbaugh refutes report about benching RB Cam Skattebo

New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Giants HC John Harbaugh refutes report about benching RB Cam Skattebo

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 18, 2026 7:00 PM ET

Before the New York Giants faced the New Orleans Saints in Week 6, a report shared that head coach John Harbaugh was demoting second-year running back Cam Skattebo because of fumbling issues.

Skattebo — who has fumbled four times this season, losing one — had zero carries in the 34-27 loss. Harbaugh, however, insisted he's not benching the RB.

John Harbaugh reacts to Cam Skattebo report

Harbaugh said Skattebo's reduced workload wasn't "by design" and expressed frustration that none of his other RBs stepped up against the Saints. Backup quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who replaced starting QB Jameis Winston in the fourth quarter, led the team in rushing with 26 yards on two carries.

"I think it's been pretty clear the whole story," Harbaugh said when pressed on the topic. "I don't even know what else to say. That's the best answer you could ever get in 1,000 years. There's not a coach in the world that would give you a better answer than that. If you're not thrilled with that answer, I got nothing else for you honestly."

John Harbaugh was asked if Cam Skattebo's decreased workload today was a byproduct of fumbling or the overall results:

"I think it's been pretty clear the whole story. I don't even know what else to say. That's the best answer you could ever get on that in 1,000 years. There's… https://t.co/8OpDENLxyL pic.twitter.com/TB1Sfc9kTd
— SNY Giants (@SNYGiants) October 18, 2026

Skattebo was much more polite to the media and was more insightful. He said his reduced workload stemmed from a lost fumble in overtime during a 27-27 Week 5 tie with the Washington Commanders.

"I got punished for what I did [from last week]," Skattebo said. "I understand it, so I gotta be ready when coach calls my name, and that wasn't today.

"It's hard, but I've made mistakes, and I got to own up to them."

Cam Skattebo: “I got punished for what I did (from last week). I understand it so I gotta be ready when coach calls my name and that wasn’t today.”

“It’s hard, but I've made mistakes, and I got to own up to them.” #giants pic.twitter.com/G1brLeqJFJ
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) October 18, 2026

The Giants hope Harbaugh lets Skattebo out of the doghouse next week. Despite the coach saying he wasn't in it, the RB clearly was.

New York's offense is much more effective when Skattebo is rolling. The Giants are 3-0-1 in games in which the RB has rushed for 58 yards or more. Fielding an effective ground attack will become even more critical in Week 7 against the Houston Texans (2-4) if McCarthy replaces Winston.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

More must-reads: