New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo finished Sunday's 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints with no rushing attempts for the first time in his career.
Skattebo entered Week 6 with a team-high 81 carries for 294 yards this season. However, Giants coach John Harbaugh reportedly decided to reduce Skattebo's carries after he suffered a costly fumble in overtime during the team's Week 5 tie against the Washington Commanders.
Harbaugh denied that postgame Sunday, saying he "didn't bench" Skattebo, according to Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports.
"Wasn't by design for him not to carry the ball," Harbaugh told reporters. "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."
Skattebo acknowledged that he "got punished" for last week's costly fumble.
"I understand it," Skattebo told reporters, including Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic. "So, I gotta be ready when coach calls my name, and that wasn't today."
Skattebo added that while he didn't expect to have zero carries, the coaching staff told him, "Keep your head down and keep going."
"It's hard, but I've made mistakes, and I gotta own up to them," he said.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., who had logged just seven carries this season, led New York with six rushing attempts against the Saints. Devin Singletary and Najee Harris carried the ball four times each.
"All those guys were taking equal reps in the first half," Harbaugh said, per Epstein. "We were trying to see who could make something happen, who could get a hot hand and earn it."
The Giants had four running backs active Sunday and recorded only 84 total rushing yards.
Skattebo is averaging 3.6 yards per rush this season, down from 4.1 last season when he was a rookie. His first season was cut short by a dislocated ankle.
