Tiki Barber says Giants' Cam Skattebo received demotion for more than one reason

Shortly after the New York Giants suffered a 34-27 home loss to the New Orleans Saints that dropped the Giants to 3-2-1 on Sunday afternoon, second-year New York running back Cam Skattebo acknowledged that he had no touches in the game because he was being "punished" after he committed a costly fumble late in the club's 27-27 tie against the Washington Commanders on Oct. 11. 

During the WFAN Giants postgame show, franchise icon and team analyst Tiki Barber hinted that Skattebo's role decrease was about more than one mistake made during New York's Week 5 matchup. 

Cam Skattebo has been responsible for "a lot of negative plays" this season

"There have been a lot of negative plays for him," Barber said about Skattebo, per Kris Pursiainen of WFAN. "And it’s misreading the run game, or being too fast in the run game…so many other things that matter to be on the field for third down…knowing protection responsibility…those little things that are considered 'busts' aren’t as obvious to the lay fan, but I think there’s been a lot of those for Cam Skattebo for this season." 

Skattebo committed four fumbles, one of which he lost, over the season's first five weeks and was made a nonfactor against the Saints. Meanwhile, backup quarterback J.J. McCarthy replaced Jameis Winston on Sunday and ultimately led the Giants with 26 rushing yards that he tallied on two carries against New Orleans. 

Such numbers suggest the Giants could have used their lead ball-carrier versus the Saints at MetLife Stadium, but New York head coach John Harbaugh seemingly was sending a message to Skattebo on Sunday. 

Tiki Barber knows Cam Skattebo lost touches for "more" than one reason

"He presented it as the fumble," Barber said about Skattebo's postgame comments. "…I think it was more than that. In fact, I know it was more than that."

Despite Sunday's result, the Giants entered Monday sitting atop the NFC East division standings. One would think that a relatively rested Skattebo should receive opportunities to show he learned a valuable lesson when the Giants play at the 2-4 Houston Texans on Oct. 25. As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had New York as a 9.5-point road underdog for that game.