Cam Skattebo still has so much to prove in the NFL. The second-year running back didn't need to see rumors of the New York Giants shopping for another running back to know as much. His up-and-down play has been evidence enough.

"I would be skeptical, too, if my running back was going for 60 yards a game and not really exploding out,” Skattebo said Tuesday as the trade deadline passed without the Giants' reported Jonathan Taylor trade coming to fruition. "But I’m still getting comfortable, man. This is like my 13th game in the league."

Hopefully, Skattebo's comfort level Thursday night against the Washington Commanders is better than it was a month ago when these teams first played. Because that was the game that nearly put a fork in his days as the team's starter.

After a decent season opener against the awful Cowboys defense, Skattebo averaged just 53 yards per game on fewer than four yards per carry with three fumbles over the next four games. His hold on the Giants backfield was slipping even before an overtime fumble against Washington that cost the Giants a shot at a game-winning field goal -- and might've lost them the game if the Commanders didn't commit their own egregious mistake to save a tie.

Skattebo didn't receive a single carry the next game before bouncing back with 124 yards in New York's latest game against the Texans. That series of events the stage for Thursday night. Is Skattebo the player he was versus Houston or the player who blew the game against Washington? Will the Giants regret not making the move for Taylor or another back as they seek to lock up their first division title in 18 years?

There may not be a better matchup for Skattebo to answer those questions than against the same team those questions became loudest. How he performs Thursday night will go a long way toward providing the Giants answers.