Cam Skattebo is expected to return to his role as the New York Giants' lead running back Sunday against the Houston Texans, sources told NFL Network.
Giants coach John Harbaugh indicated Friday that Skattebo would carry a bigger workload after getting zero touches in New York's Week 6 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
It is unclear which player the Giants will start Sunday against the Texans, according to sources, but Skattebo should figure prominently in New York's game plan.
Skattebo said he had a "good week" of practice and acknowledged he was "taught a lesson" by his lack of involvement last Sunday, one week after his costly overtime fumble in the Giants' tie against the Washington Commanders. The second-year star has lost five fumbles in just 13 career games.
But after releasing veteran Najee Harris on Tuesday, the Giants are expected to revert to their original running back plan for the 2026 season -- with Skattebo as the lead back and Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary mixing in situationally.
Skattebo will be playing behind J.J. McCarthy, who will start Sunday under center and is expected to remain the Giants' QB1 beyond their Week 8 bye. Sources told NFL Network that Sunday's game against the vaunted Texans defense is not a one-week tryout for McCarthy, the former Minnesota Vikings first-round pick who was traded to the Giants last month.
Asked this past week if the Giants' plan is to stick with McCarthy long term, Harbaugh said: "Life is day-to-day, minute-to-minute."
"There's really no guarantees," Harbaugh said. "I would never say that anything is permanent in football or life. That's the plan going forward."
McCarthy had a good week of practice, and while he has been with the Giants for only four weeks, he knows more than enough for this week's game plan against the Texans.
McCarthy had a fourth quarter for the ages in last week's loss to the Saints with 243 yards passing also 26 yards rushing. That added dimension of mobility should help McCarthy, as should the ability he has shown to throw the deep ball.