The New York Giants are about to do something on Sunday they haven't done all year: Play without No. 44. Rookie running back Cam Skattebo suffered a brutal ankle injury against the Philadelphia Eagles, ending his season prematurely.
Related: Giants were one shocking draft twist away from missing out on Cam Skattebo
For Skatt, it's onto rehab. For the rest of the team, it's next man up and onto next week. And speaking of next man up, no one is better equipped to take up the mantle than second-year back Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Tracy spoke with the media on Wednesday about his new opportunity, no matter how it might've come about:
"However the opportunity presents itself, you have to take advantage of it no matter what it is. I'm gonna go out there and execute my job & my responsibilities to the best that I can."
Giants hand Tyrone Tracy Jr. the keys after Cam Skattebo injury
As soon as the G-Men selected Skatt with the 105th pick of the 2025 Draft, Tracy Jr.'s hold on the starting spot immediately felt under siege. And after putting up 410 rushing yards and five touchdowns along with 207 yards and two touchdowns through the air in his first seven-plus games, it was all but confirmed.
But life comes at you fast in the NFL. And in an instant, the 2024 fifth-round pick is back in the driver's seat.
The soon-to-be 26-year-old knows a thing or two about waiting his turn. Before coming onto the scene as a rookie himself last year, he sat behind seven-year veteran Devin Singletary. He didn't start his first game until Week 5, and by mid-season, he was consistently putting together one of the more surprising campaigns of the year.
It's actually a bit eerie how similar his first two seasons are. Although it's a bit later than last year, Big Blue is once again turning to the former Iowa wide receiver turned Purdue running back, and they need him now more than ever.
But no one needs Tracy's production more than rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. Before losing his headbutt buddy, he lost his No. 1 receiver, Malik Nabers, to a torn ACL. Luckily, No. 29's background as a receiver makes him a great complement for Dart's passing game.