Cam Skattebo Injury Expected to Bring Huge Punishment to Eagles Player
The New York Giants have a blockbuster rookie duo in quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cameron Skattebo, and it’s breathing new life into the team for the 2025-26 season. The Giants first had championship-winning quarterback Russell Wilson as their Q1 for the season and started him in a total of three games, but with the team’s losses piling up, they benched Wilson to give Dart a chance to shine.
Dart’s numbers are strong, and there’s no denying his chemistry with Skattebo. Looking at the Giants’ game on Sunday, Oct. 19, against the Denver Broncos, Dart completed 15 of 33 pass attempts for 283 yards, three touchdowns and an interception while taking five carries for 11 yards and another touchdown, according to ESPN research.
But, that all came crashing down on Sunday, Oct. 26, with a nasty injury to Skattebo during the Giant’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. During the showdown, Skattebo was injured by an Eagles linebacker, Zack Baun. The injury was a severe right ankle injury, according to CBS Sports, and it was so bad that the player had to be carted off the field. The Philadelphia crowd gave Skattebo a standing ovation on his way out.
Eagles Player Expected to Get Big NFL Punishment for Cam Skattebo Incident
Baun’s move appeared to be a “hip drop tackle,” but it wasn’t called on the field. “This is awful– Giants standout rookie RB Cam Skattebo just suffered an ankle injury, and it’s bad…” NFL reporter Arye Pulli said on X, sharing a video of the incident.
The injury happened during a pass attempt in the second quarter of the game. During the play, Skattebo’s right leg was pinned and twisted under him in an awful way following the hit from Baun. Skattebo obviously sustained a severe ankle injury after that incident.
Followers took to social media to call out the refs for not calling it, with one saying, “How was this not a flag bro? I thought we banned hip dropped tackles.” Another added, “Is that not a hip drop tackle?”
Dart, who has become good friends with Skattebo, yelled out after the play frustration. Skattebo had notched his seventh touchdown of the season during the game with an 18-yard pass from Dart.
NFL Penalties Explained
Every week, the league penalizes players for conduct in the previous week’s games. The NFL states on their website that these actions are “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity, the NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed on a set of game-related rules violations that may result in accountability measures.”
The new roster of players getting hit with punishments goes up every Saturday afternoon. There’s a good chance Baun will be on that tally, and it will be a big fine.
According to the NFL, those fines will go to the Professional Athletes Foundation to “support legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.” So, it’s a good cause.
Pros and Cons of Lions Trading for CB Alontae Taylor
The New Orleans Saints are in the middle of a freefall at 1-6, and with the NFL trade deadline looming on November 4, they’re shaping up to be one of the league’s biggest sellers.
Among the players who could be on the move is cornerback Alontae Taylor, a 2022 second-round pick who has quietly developed into one of the Saints’ most reliable defensive backs.
For the Detroit Lions, which are still dealing with injuries and instability in the secondary, Taylor could be an intriguing midseason trade target.
At 26 years old, Taylor is potentially just entering his prime, and already boasts significant experience.
In 54 career games, he has totaled 244 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss, 44 passes defensed, two interceptions, six sacks and three forced fumbles – a stat line that showcases his versatility.
Taylor, in fact, has logged extensive time both in the slot and on the outside, playing 172 snaps at nickel and 117 on the boundary this season, according to Pro Football Focus. That positional flexibility is exactly what Detroit’s secondary needs at the present moment.
The Lions started their third nickel of the season in Week 7 against the Buccaneers, as Avonte Maddox was sidelined and Amik Robertson was bumped to the outside due to injuries to Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed.
Taylor could immediately stabilize the defensive backfield, providing Detroit with a reliable slot presence who can also shift outside as needed.
Thus far this season, Taylor, a University of Tennessee product, has recorded a 67.6 PFF coverage grade, the 33rd-best mark among 112 qualified cornerbacks. Plus, he’s earned a 64.7 PFF overall mark, the 43rd-best overall grade among all corners.
If acquired, Taylor would likely become Detroit’s second-best corner behind Reed.
His arrival would allow Robertson to return to nickel corner, which is where he’s accumulated the majority of his snaps since the start of the 2024 campaign.
For a Lions team with Super Bowl aspirations, adding a young, proven defensive back before the stretch run could be the type of move that pays huge dividends come the postseason.
However, there are some downsides to making a deal for Taylor.
Chief among them is his contract situation. He’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, and is expected to command a sizable payday in free agency.
With the cornerback market taking off in recent offseasons, Taylor’s next contract could reach eight-figure annual territory. And that’s something Detroit likely will steer clear of, given its current cap structure and upcoming extensions for core players like Aidan Hutchinson.
The Lions have been disciplined under general manager Brad Holmes, avoiding short-term rentals that could cost valuable draft capital.
Trading for Taylor would likely require at least a mid-round pick, and without a guarantee that he’d re-sign, Holmes might view that as too steep a price for a player who could walk in March.
Additionally, while Taylor’s numbers and grades are strong, they don’t necessarily indicate star-level production.
Subsequently, unless New Orleans’ asking price drops or Detroit is confident it can extend him long-term, the Lions may be better off targeting a defensive back under contract beyond 2025.
At this present juncture, I believe Holmes & Co. will opt not to trade for Taylor.
