Most rookies would be praised for their game-day preparation after rushing for 98 yards, punching in three touchdowns, and torching the reigning Super Bowl champs on primetime. For New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo, the pregame ritual might’ve included a few online runs of NBA 2K26.
That’s the rumor at least. Ahead of Thursday’s showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles, word started circulating on X that the 23-year-old was spotted online playing NBA 2K. Not exactly standard procedure for most NFL players just hours before kickoff, but it fits Skatt's brand perfectly.
The fourth-round pick addressed it the only way you can when there’s no reason to deny or confirm anything. There’s still no confirmation that it was him online, but the timing, username, and avatar all made a convincing case. The biggest clue was the playstyle, which read, "6-foot-2, versatile paint bully." That screams Skatt. That sure sounds like the human-sized fire hydrant. It's a Louvre-worthy interaction:
Pre game locked 😂
— cameron skattebo (@camskattebo5) October 11, 2025
But after what he did against Philly, maybe none of it matters.
Cam Skattebo’s 2K pregaming adds to Giants' rookie legend
Assuming the man was, in fact, logged on and vibing out to 2K hours before kickoff, it only adds to his growing Giants lore. No word on what team he picked or if he logged a win, but it might be safe to say he saved the real dominance for MetLife Stadium.
In Big Blue's 34-17 beatdown of the Eagles, Skattebo ran like a man possessed — 19 carries, 98 yards, and three trips to the end zone. He added two catches for another 12 yards, continuing his streak of 90-plus scrimmage yards to four straight games.
Of his 98 rushing yards, 79 came after contact, including 47 against eight guys in the box. He also tied a season-high with four runs of 10-plus yards. That’s pretty good.
Funny enough, in the pre-draft process, the former Arizona State standout was late to his pre-draft meeting with the G-Men. Fortunately for both parties, it didn't affect his selection. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer confirmed he aced it once he finally arrived for his interview:
"He crushed the rest of his visit, to the point where on the morning of Day 3, New York had pretty much determined that if he got to them at 105, he’d be the pick. He was a favorite of the scouting staff, with his blend of the toughness, physicality and pass-game ability making him a perfect complement to Tyrone Tracy Jr."
Between the breakout performances, his “alarm clock” pre-draft visit, and now the 2K rumors, the Skattebo legend is very much in motion. His dad might still be checking in with Giants brass to make sure he’s waking up on time, but the coaching staff has no complaints.
Whatever gets him ready, keep it up. If that means a little MyPlayer warmup before taking the field, let him get on the sticks. Denver’s up next — might be time to plug in the controller again.