Giants ‘devastated’ after Skattebo dislocates ankle

PHILADELPHIA — New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo was carted off the field midway through the second quarter of Sunday’s 38-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles because of a gruesome dislocation of his right ankle.

Skattebo’s ankle got caught underneath an Eagles player as he tried to catch a pass over the middle of the field. His right foot was turned sharply to the right.

He was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game and taken to a hospital for evaluation, according to the Giants. The team later said that Skattebo was scheduled to undergo surgery Sunday night at a Philadelphia-area hospital.

«Yeah, feel absolutely terrible for the young man,» coach Brian Daboll said. «Obviously, saw it looked bad. I know you feel for anybody on your team that goes down and has a really bad injury and … I know the players feel the same way about [Skattebo].»

Players for both teams were immediately aware it was a serious injury. One Eagles player immediately ran away from the area and off the field. Several Giants players turned away from Skattebo to avoid looking at the injury. Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who has quickly become a close friend of Skattebo, yelled in frustration. Offensive lineman Greg Van Roten was the closest teammate to Skattebo on the field and immediately called for help.

«I saw him on the ground with his leg trapped,» he said. «When he pulled it out, you could see his foot was the wrong way. Obviously, that is not normal. I just wanted [Skattebo] to stay down, called the trainers out, get the cart. Put the [ankle] back basically. It’s hard to see stuff like that.»

Skattebo, a fourth-round draft pick, was taken off the field on a cart with his leg in an air cast. The Philadelphia crowd gave him a standing ovation. The rookie running back waved to the crowd. It was another devastating blow to a Giants team that is already without star wide receiver Malik Nabers, who tore the ACL in his right knee last month.

Now, they’ll likely be without Skattebo for the rest of the season, as well.

«Yeah, I was devastated,» Dart said. «It’s my boy, man. So seeing him go down and obviously reacting to what happened, that sucks. It’s the worst part of this game.»

Skattebo scored his seventh touchdown of the season earlier in the game on an 18-yard pass from Dart. It was his second receiving touchdown in as many weeks and Dart’s only TD throw of Sunday’s game.

Dart and Skattebo have sparked life into a once-dormant offense. The rookie duo led them to an upset victory over the Eagles just two weeks ago on a Thursday night. Skattebo had taken over as the team’s feature back earlier this season. This was his third straight game with a touchdown.

«It’s really hard to see,» wide receiver Darius Slayton said. «A young guy who was having a heck of a year. Somebody who is a unifying personality, an energetic personality. It’s sad to see him go down.»

The Giants will now have to turn to Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary in the backfield to support Dart. Tracy had 10 carries for 39 yards Sunday; Singletary had two carries for no yards.

Skattebo, a fourth-round pick out of Arizona State, will have his rookie season end with 101 rushes for 410 yards with five touchdowns.