Cam Skattebo’s reward for running through the Houston Texans’ defense was a comparison to Mike Tyson. It did, however, come with a warning about how long the Giants running back can maintain his punishing style.

NFL analyst Colin Cowherd loved what Skattebo brought to Sunday’s win. The second-year back had gone without a touch in Week 6 after fumbling against the Washington Commanders the previous week. Skattebo felt he had been punished for the mistake, but head coach John Harbaugh denied benching him.

Sunday’s performance gave the running back a chance to put the controversy behind him and prove his value to the Giants.

Cowherd was impressed by Skattebo’s physicality, but he questioned how long the running back could keep playing that way.

Colin Cowherd Compares Cam Skattebo to Young Mike Tyson

Skattebo rushed for a career-high 124 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in New York’s 27-21 overtime victory over the Texans. His 42-yard run in overtime helped set up Devin Singletary’s game-winning touchdown and gave the Giants a much-needed glimpse of what their backfield can provide when Skattebo is at his best.

Cowherd praised Skattebo’s performance on Monday’s edition of “The Herd,” pointing to the running back’s ability to create missed tackles and help open up the Giants’ passing game.

“Cam Skattebo fumbled against Washington. They should have won that game. And John Harbaugh benched him. But now we’re playing Houston, 7.2 yards a carry, the Texans are a very good tackling defense, and he forced eight missed tackles. And more importantly, it allowed J.J. McCarthy to throw on play action,” Cowherd began.

Despite the praise, the analyst wasn’t sure Skattebo’s punishing style could last for 10 to 12 years in the NFL. He called the running back “reckless” before comparing his power to that of a young Mike Tyson.

“Skattebo is reckless. He’s a little different. I don’t think this is a sustainable style of play for 10 to 12 years,”Cowherd said. “But his power, you know what it reminds me of? Mike Tyson at 23. It’s just different.”

Cowherd believes the Giants star hits with a level of power that sets him apart, even among players used to taking and delivering big hits.

“Mike Tyson’s punch was just different than even the great fighters, his peers,” Cowherd continued. “And Skattebo, Arizona State, Sacramento State, New York Giants, nobody plays like that. Nobody’s that much of a hammer.”

Cowherd even joked that Skattebo might need insurance to protect himself from the punishment he dishes out.

“So he is the first State Farm spokesperson who actually needs a policy,” the analyst quipped.

Skattebo Responds After Going Without a Carry Against New Orleans

Skattebo’s big game against Houston followed a rough stretch. After fumbling in overtime against Washington, he went without a carry against New Orleans, putting Harbaugh’s handling of the backfield under scrutiny.

The second-year RB later vowed to improve his ball security and follow the techniques his coaches were teaching. Sunday’s performance was a strong response, as he rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.

Skattebo now ranks No. 24 with a PFN RB Impact Score of 73.3. He has 418 rushing yards and 494 yards from scrimmage this season.

Cowherd still sees the Giants as a playoff team, pointing to their physicality and running game as strengths that could serve them well on the road and in cold weather. But he kept returning to the question of whether Skattebo can keep taking the punishment that comes with his playing style.