New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo was called for unnecessary roughness Sunday after lowering his helmet and running over Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart on what looked like an ordinary first-quarter handoff.
Skattebo took the ball from quarterback J.J. McCarthy, found a gap, put his head down and collided with Stewart. Officials threw a flag, ruling the hit a penalty because Skattebo lowered his helmet on contact.
The call drew confusion because helmet-to-helmet penalties are typically reserved for defenders who lead with their helmet against a defenseless offensive player, not the other way around. Giants head coach John Harbaugh reportedly seemed puzzled by the flag as well.
The hit came during a tight Week 7 game that was tied 14-14 at halftime.
Skattebo had drawn scrutiny heading into the game after being held without a single carry in Week 6 against the New Orleans Saints. Harbaugh denied the lack of touches was a benching.
“It wasn’t by design for him not to carry the ball,” Harbaugh said. “Just when he was in there, we didn’t call any runs. You’re not thinking about which back is in the game and how many runs they’re getting. It’s we were going to give them all an equal shot, give them a chance, see who got a hot hand maybe, see who could get going with it. We weren’t planning on being down by 24, that’s for sure.”
Skattebo’s fumbling issues have raised eyebrows this season, though not enough, apparently, to keep him out of the lineup. He was back in the offense for Week 7 against Houston.
