Cam Skattebo starts Giants practice brawl after reckless play nearly injures teammates

Cam Skattebo ’s energy is one of his defining traits, but it appears to be starting to become an issue inside the New York Giants locker room.

According to the latest reports, some of the running back’s teammates were reportedly unhappy with his actions during Wednesday’s practice, in an incident that even led to a confrontation within the team.

According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News , Skattebo “started a fight” after a reception in which he slid and came “dangerously close to taking out the legs of multiple defensive backs.” The reporter noted that Jevon Holland and Greg Newsome were among the players who expressed their frustration.

Leonard also suggested that the running back’s attitude “is starting to wear on his defensive teammates,” after Skattebo ran over linebacker Zaire Barnes during a previous practice despite the defense being prohibited from making contact.

Even head coach John Harbaugh addressed the incident when asked about Skattebo’s intensity.

“He got a 15-yard penalty at the end of practice,” Harbaugh said when asked about Skattebo’s infectious energy. “Did you see that? Yeah, it’s infectious. It can be infectious the other way, an infectious disease type of thing. We want it to be in a positive way.”

Skattebo has built a reputation for his physical running style, aggressive approach, and willingness to embrace contact on every play. The Giants are well aware of that personality and even appeared to embrace it last season, when they asked several teammates to imitate the way the running back plays.

However, bringing that intensity against his own defensive teammates or putting them at risk during non-contact practices can create friction inside the locker room.

The incident became significant enough that Harbaugh compared Skattebo’s energy to an “infectious disease,” a comment that quickly drew attention.

Fortunately for New York, the regular season is only a few weeks away. The Giants will open the 2026 campaign on September 13 against the Dallas Cowboys , giving Skattebo the opportunity to channel his aggression against opponents rather than his own teammates.

His return will be one of the major storylines to follow after his 2025 rookie season was limited to just eight games due to a fractured tibia and a dislocated ankle. If he can regain the form he showed before the injury, the Giants could have a dangerous offense alongside wide receiver Malik Nabers.

In eight games last season, Skattebo recorded 410 rushing yards, 207 receiving yards, and seven total touchdowns. According to Jordan Raanan of ESPN, he was also listed as the team’s starting running back on the unofficial depth chart ahead of the preseason finale against the New York Jets .

The decision reflects the team’s confidence that he is fully recovered and ready to contribute, although for now, his intensity appears to have created some issues inside his own locker room.