John Harbaugh Used A Bizarre Phrase To Describe Cam Skattebo After His Practice Antics
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Second-year running back Cam Skattebo started a fight at Giants practice on Wednesday. He caught a pass and slid. The slide came close to the legs of two defensive backs. The defense is not allowed to hit in that period.
Jevon Holland and Greg Newsome did not like it. The scene escalated between Skattebo and Newsome. Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reported the details.
Skattebo also ran over linebacker Zaire Barnes on another recent day when the defense was not hitting. Leonard wrote that the act is getting old to his defensive teammates.
Cam Skattebo started a fight in practice today. He slid down after a reception and came dangerously close to taking out a couple Giants DBs’ legs. The defense isn’t allowed to hit.
Jevon Holland and Greg Newsome did not appreciate it. Situation escalated between Skattebo and…
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 26, 2026
Cam Skattebo Draws a 15-Yard Flag at Practice
John Harbaugh was asked about Skattebo’s “infectious” energy. The first-year Giants coach flipped the compliment.
“He got a 15-yard penalty at the end of practice,” the coach said. “Did you see that? Yeah it’s infectious. It can be infectious the other way, an infectious disease type of thing. We want it to be in a positive way.”
John Harbaugh asked about Cam Skattebo’s “infectious” energy:
‘He got a 15-yard penalty at the end of practice. Did you see that? Yeah it’s infectious. It can be infectious the other way, an infectious disease type of thing. We want it to be in a positive way.” #Giants https://t.co/TIBwdWXpnx
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 26, 2026
The quote landed hard. Harbaugh has praised Skattebo as a tone-setter and downhill runner. He also wants that fire pointed at the other team, not his own secondary.
Skattebo is the planned lead back. He rushed for 410 yards and five touchdowns in eight games as a rookie. A broken ankle against the Eagles ended that year when he became Jaxson Dart’s best partner in crime.
Cam Skattebo Energy Cuts Both Ways for Giants
Harbaugh likes physical practice. He does not like cheap slides when teammates cannot hit back. A 15-yard penalty at the end of a session is the kind of play that spreads the wrong way.
The season opens soon. Skattebo can take the same style to Dallas in Week 1. Until then, Harbaugh is drawing a line. Infectious is good. An infectious disease is not.
Giants fans watched a different drama in the offseason. This one is internal, too. The running back’s act is wearing on the defense. The head coach just said so in public.
