Cam Skattebo takes aim at NFL after controversial call in Giants win: ‘Guess I’m going to play for free’
Cam Skattebo has lowered his shoulder numerous times in his early NFL career, delivering bone-rattling thuds into opponents to help his New York Giants.
In Sunday’s win over the Houston Texans, though, Skattebo was flagged for unnecessary roughness after officials deemed he crossed a line when he laid the boom on safety M.J. Stewart, sending him to the turf after a big gain on the ground.
Skattebo was livid at the call, as was head coach John Harbaugh , who had to hold his running back behind him on the sideline before displaying his own displeasure at the flag being thrown.
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New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo leaps over Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart and is tackled by linebacker Henry To’oto’o during the first half of an NFL football game in Houston on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
After the game, where Skattebo’s 42-yard run in overtime helped set up Devin Singletary’s 30-yard touchdown to seal victory for New York, the second-year running back didn’t mince words as he took a shot at the league as a whole.
“Yeah, I’ll keep that conversation between us,” Skattebo said when asked what was said to the official following the unnecessary roughness call. “I will say, man, the NFL loves to post me when I do stuff like that, but then also wants to take stuff from me. So, I mean, I’m going to run the ball like I want to run the ball, and if I’m going to continue to get flagged or it or fined for it, man, I guess I’m going to play for free.
“I’m going to do what I can to be on this team, to give everything I got. If they’re going to punish me for that, I’m just going to keep doing it and keep playing hard.”
To Skattebo’s point, the NFL has enjoyed his bulldozing style of running that turns back the clock to old-school running through the tackles.
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At the same time, the league has been trying to crack down on helmet-to-helmet contact for years, and referees believed Skattebo led with the crown of his helmet in this case.
However, looking back at the video, Skattebo’s run here appeared no different than others he’s had in the past. It’s why many NFL fans were in an uproar along with Skattebo, calling the call “soft,” “bizarre” and more on social media.
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo celebrates in the end zone after his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Houston on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Smith)
It is very rare for officials to throw flags on an offensive player in those situations, which made it seem bizarre in the moment. The video replay almost confirmed as such, but nonetheless, as Skattebo pointed out, a fine might be coming his way from the league due to the unnecessary roughness call.
Controversial penalty call aside, Skattebo’s play in Week 7 was redemption after he did not get a single carry the game prior, as Giants fans believed Harbaugh had him in the doghouse following a costly overtime fumble against the Washington Commanders. The Giants ended up with a tie in that contest, but if Skattebo hadn’t fumbled, New York could be 5-2 today, given it came in field goal range, where the next score won the game.
“It wasn’t by design for him not to carry the ball,” Harbaugh said after the tie to Washington. “Just when he was in there, we didn’t call any runs. You’re not thinking about which back is in the game and how many runs they’re getting. It’s we were going to give them all an equal shot, give them a chance, see who got a hot hand maybe, see who could get going with it. We weren’t planning on being down by 24, that’s for sure.”
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo carries the ball as Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock and cornerback Kamari Lassiter defend during overtime in an NFL football game in Houston on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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This week, Skattebo had a chance to change the narrative surrounding his early-season fumble woes, and he put up 124 rushing yards on 17 carries and scored a touchdown in the second half. The Giants had four rushing scores, but Skattebo may have perhaps separated himself a bit as the lead back once again.
The Giants have a bye next week, but when they return to face the Philadelphia Eagles on the road, Skattebo doesn’t seem like he’ll be changing anything about his play style.
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