Cam Skattebo has had a wild few weeks in the NFL. In Week 5, the New York Giants just had to hold onto the football as they closed in on a game-winning field goal, but he coughed up the ball, and the Giants tied.

In Week 6, he didn’t get a single touch, and in Week 7, he was flagged for unnecessary roughness while running the ball. Fans reacted with disappointment to the wild penalty called on Skattebo.

Cam Skattebo’s Penalty for Unnecessary Roughness Raises Questions

Skattebo took a handoff from J.J. McCarthy, hit the hole, and lowered his shoulder into Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart. He was flagged for unnecessary roughness after leading with his helmet. His seven-to-eight-yard carry turned into a 15-yard loss for New York.

Fans weren’t happy because Skattebo was running hard for extra yards and lowered his shoulder as many running backs do, and ripped the refs for the call.

“NFL officials are officially approaching new LOWS.. This is just bizarre. What a JOKE!” said one fan.

“Softest call I’ve ever seen in my life,” said one fan.

Fans didn’t quite understand what Skattebo was supposed to do in that situation. He was trying to fight for extra yards and get low, but he hit the safety. What running backs have traditionally been taught to do, get low and keep their legs moving, is now being flagged, and fans are not happy.

“Why is that even a penalty, lmfao?” said one fan.

“Like what do they want them to do?” said one fan.

Skattebo is back involved in the offense in Week 7. He entered the season with heavy expectations after an encouraging rookie year, until an injury ended his season. It hasn’t quite clicked for Skattebo in 2026.

Skattebo came into this game as the 34th-ranked player in PFN’s RB Impact Rankings. His fumble found him banished to the bench last week.

At halftime, Skattebo led the Giants with eight carries for 27 yards and had reclaimed a prominent role in the backfield. The Giants star would have had more if his run hadn’t been called back for the unnecessary roughness penalty.

“What are we doing, man?”questioned Pro Football Network.

One user on X called the decision to penalize Skattebo “ridiculous.”

The Giants are locked in a battle with the Texans in Week 7, heading into halftime knotted at 14. New York is going to need Skattebo to get going to help McCarthy and the passing attack, which has been great so far in the first half.

Skattebo will have to be careful with his helmet, but he runs hard, so he’ll have to remain physical yet diligent.