'Do something': John Harbaugh sends message to Cam Skattebo, Giants running backs

While New York Giants fans began the week discussing whether Jameis Winston or J.J. McCarthy should serve as the club's starting quarterback when the 3-2-1 Giants play at the 2-4 Houston Texans on Oct. 25, it was also unclear who would be New York's lead ball-carrier. 

Cam Skattebo clearly landed in the doghouse of head coach John Harbaugh before Skattebo had no touches in New York's 34-27 home loss to the New Orleans Saints this past Sunday. While speaking with reporters on Monday, Harbaugh suggested that the Giants currently don't have a star RB1 on their roster such as Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens or former Big Blue lead back Saquon Barkley.

John Harbaugh wants a Giants running back to "do something" to earn more touches

"Our run game hasn’t earned that yet, and none of those guys have," Harbaugh explained, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "My advice would be to any player, and it’s all the guys, we had the same conversation. I’ve had the same conversation with all the running backs, the receivers, it’s no different than any position, but do the most you can with the opportunities you get. Make the most of those opportunities, and you’re sure to get more opportunities. Do something."

Skattebo committed four fumbles, one of which he lost late in the club's 27-27 tie against the Washington Commanders on Oct. 11, over the season's first five weeks. After he was made a nonfactor against the Saints, the previously mentioned McCarthy led the Giants with 26 rushing yards on two carries. 

John Harbaugh: Giants' rushing attack has been "disappointing" 

Meanwhile, ESPN stats show that the Giants ended Week 6 ranked 19th in the NFL with an average of 104.8 rushing yards per game for the season. 

"It’s disappointing," Harbaugh added, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. "I thought we’d be running the ball better at this point in time in terms of outcome and result, and we haven’t been able to do it. But we have to find it. We’re not blocking well enough. We’re not running well enough. We’re not putting up enough yards. We’re not putting up enough consistency. We’re not efficient in our run game. It’s not for lack of effort. It’s not for lack of trying. We’ve run the ball quite a bit. We’re not doing it at the level we really plan on doing to be the type of football team we want to be. We want to do it much more effectively than we have."

Harbaugh's offense may struggle to build momentum against a Texans side that is coming off two straight wins. As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Giants as 10-point underdogs against Houston.