Cam Skattebo looked more like the hard-nosed running back New York Giants fans have come to know and love in Week 3. He was a catalyst for the club's 12-7 win over the Tennessee Titans, accounting for nearly half of their total yards, as was Najee Harris.
Harris ran hard against the Titans, posting 52 yards on nine carries, averaging a robust 5.8 yards per attempt. He generated three rushing first downs, and 30 of his yards came after contact. The burst and physicality are even more impressive when remembering the veteran's roughly 365 days removed from a torn Achilles.
Then there's Skattebo, who churned his way to a bigger box score despite being far less efficient on the ground. He recorded 60 yards on 20 totes and added another 40 yards on three receptions. The second-year pro also fumbled but was fortunate enough to see the Giants fall on the ball (for a second straight contest).
While Skattebo is clearly the bell cow, Harris may have earned himself a larger share of the Giants' backfield pie with a solid showing versus Tennessee.
Najee Harris stakes claim for more opportunities in Giants' win vs. Titans
Like Harris, Skattebo is also coming off a massive lower-leg injury he suffered in 2025. Frankly, however, the eye test alone suggests the former is much further along in his recovery.
Nevertheless, Harris is almost four years older, has a lot of tread on his tires and has never been known as a speedy back. He was visibly more explosive than Skattebo in the slugfest with the Titans. If we noticed it on our televisions, hopefully, Giants head coach John Harbaugh and Co. spotted it from the sidelines.
The Giants' offense arguably looked its best when Harris was on the field. He did a great job of keeping them on schedule and moving the chains. The 2021 Pro Bowler almost single-handedly willed the group into the red zone early in the second quarter (which resulted in a field goal).
Getting Harris more consistently involved is a boon for New York's attack, and it can also make Skattebo's life easier.
Giving Najee Harris additional work can help in more way than one
It's worth pointing out that Harris got hurt nearly a month before Skattebo. The latter might still (reasonably) be shaking off rust from the dislocated right ankle, fractured fibula and ruptured deltoid ligament that derailed his promising rookie campaign. That's exactly why the G-Men should welcome more of a 1A/1B split, though.
New York figures to lean on the ground game after starting quarterback Jaxson Dart's season-ending injury. His absence should leave plenty of room for both RBs to get their fair share of touches. However, the team can't afford to run Skattebo into the ground (literally), and Harris appears to be a capable tandem partner.
In the name of preservation, don't put too much on Skattebo's plate too soon; football is famously known as a war of attrition. Scaling back his usage could be best for the long haul if Big Blue wants to get him through 17 games. This group will go as far as he and the defense can take them without Dart in 2026, and Harris gives them a viable alternative.
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