Fantasy Football News: Giants Rookie RB Cam Skattebo Suffers Season-Ending Ankle Injury

Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo suffered a devastating season-ending dislocated ankle injury during Sunday's 38-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, sending shockwaves through the fantasy football community and abruptly ending one of the most promising rookie campaigns in recent memory.

The gruesome injury occurred in the second quarter after a pass from quarterback Jaxson Dart, when Skattebo's right leg got pinned underneath him and twisted awkwardly on the ensuing hit. Medical personnel immediately attended to the Arizona State product on the field, with teammates surrounding him before he was carted off and taken to a Philadelphia hospital for emergency surgery that same night.

Fantasy Impact

This is a devastating blow to fantasy managers who invested in Skattebo, as he was averaging an impressive 16.0 PPR points per game through seven-and-a-half games. The rookie had established himself as a legitimate dual-threat weapon with 617 scrimmage yards and seven total touchdowns, including a monster Week 4 performance that netted 30.0 fantasy points against the Cardinals.

Skattebo's 43.2 percent rush share made him a cornerstone piece for many fantasy rosters. His combination of 101 carries for 410 yards and 24 receptions on 32 targets showcased the versatility that made him such a valuable fantasy asset. Based on current PPR rankings, he was trending toward RB1 territory before this catastrophic injury.

The immediate beneficiary is second-year running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., who proved capable during his 2024 rookie season with 1,123 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns across 17 games. Tracy Jr. had been relegated to a secondary role this season with just 19.2 percent of the team's rushing attempts, but now projects to inherit the lion's share of New York's backfield touches.

Fantasy managers should prioritize Tracy Jr. as a must-add waiver wire pickup heading into Week 9. His 2024 production of 192 carries for 839 yards and five rushing touchdowns, plus 38 receptions for 284 yards, demonstrates his ability to handle a featured workload. With approximately nine games remaining in the regular season, Tracy Jr. has ample opportunity to provide significant fantasy value.

Veterans like Devin Singletary may receive some touches, but Tracy Jr. is expected to dominate the backfield moving forward. His familiarity with the Giants' system and proven track record make him the clear priority add for managers seeking to replace Skattebo's production.

Next Steps

Fantasy managers should immediately add Tracy Jr. from the waiver wire if available, as he represents one of the most valuable pickups of the season given his projected workload. Monitor the Giants' practice reports this week to gauge Tracy Jr.'s preparation for the expanded role against San Francisco in Week 9.

Keep an eye on the team's snap counts and target distribution in Tracy Jr.'s first game as the primary back, as this will provide crucial insight into his fantasy ceiling. The official confirmation of Skattebo's season-ending status removes any uncertainty about the backfield hierarchy going forward.

With the Giants' remaining schedule including several favorable matchups, Tracy Jr. could emerge as a legitimate RB2 option for the fantasy playoffs, making him an essential pickup for managers in both redraft and keeper leagues.

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