The New York Giants have found new energy this season thanks to their exciting rookie duo — quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cameron Skattebo. The pair has sparked life into the team’s 2025–26 campaign, giving fans a glimpse of the franchise’s future.
The Giants began the year with veteran Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback, but after three games and mounting losses, the team decided to hand the reins to Dart. The rookie quickly delivered, showing poise and a natural connection with Skattebo.
In the Giants’ October 19 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Dart completed 15 of 33 passes for 283 yards, tossing three touchdowns and one interception, while also rushing five times for 11 yards and another score, per ESPN. His chemistry with Skattebo was on full display throughout the game.
However, that momentum came to a painful halt on October 26, when Skattebo suffered a severe right ankle injury during the Giants’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The incident occurred after a tackle by linebacker Zack Baun, leaving Skattebo in visible pain before trainers carted him off the field. The injury was so gruesome that even the Philadelphia crowd stood and applauded as the rookie was taken away, according to CBS Sports.
Baun’s tackle appeared to be a “hip-drop” tackle, though no penalty was called on the play. NFL reporter Arye Pulli shared a video of the incident on X, writing, “This is awful — Giants standout rookie RB Cam Skattebo just suffered an ankle injury, and it’s bad…”
The injury occurred in the second quarter during a pass attempt, when Skattebo’s right leg was pinned and twisted awkwardly beneath him after the hit from Baun. The gruesome sequence clearly resulted in a severe ankle injury for the rookie running back.
Fans quickly took to social media to criticize the officials for missing the call. One user wrote, “How was this not a flag bro? I thought we banned hip-drop tackles.” Another questioned, “Is that not a hip-drop tackle?”
Quarterback Jaxson Dart, a close friend of Skattebo’s, was visibly upset after the play, shouting in frustration. Earlier in the game, Skattebo had scored his seventh touchdown of the season on an 18-yard reception from Dart.
Each week, the NFL reviews player conduct from the previous round of games and issues fines where necessary. According to the league’s official website, these measures are designed “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity,” with both the NFL and the NFL Players Association agreeing on a list of violations that can lead to disciplinary action.
The updated list of fines is typically released every Saturday afternoon, and there’s a strong possibility that Zack Baun will appear on it following his hit on Cam Skattebo — likely facing a significant fine if the tackle is deemed illegal.
The league also notes that all collected fines are directed to charitable causes. Specifically, the money goes to the Professional Athletes Foundation, which assists former players in need, and the NFL Foundation, which supports initiatives promoting health, safety, and wellness for athletes at every level — including youth football and the communities that sustain the sport.