Running back Cam Skattebo suffered a gruesome injury last Sunday that ended his rookie season and as put his future in doubt. It isn’t just a tough blow for New York Giants fans, but for the NFL as a whole, as the young bruiser was becoming a favorite around the league. Ahead of this weekend’s matchup between the Giants and 49ers, San Francisco’s head coach revealed that his team was interested in bringing Skattebo into the fold.
49ers “Loved” Cam Skattebo During 2025 NFL Draft
Despite finishing 5th in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2024, Skattebo wasn’t considered a Day 1 talent for the 2025 NFL Draft. He was instead projected as a mid-round pick, and the Giants made that a reality when they picked him in the 4th round with the 105th overall selection. He entered the league with mild expectations, and proceeded to exceed them early on.
Skattebo began the season in the second spot on the depth chart. He had just two carries in New York’s Week 1 loss to the Commanders, and accumulated a total of -3 yards on the ground. But a flip was then switched within the organization. Over the next six contests, the rookie had 13 or more touches in each, including a 27-touch game against the Chargers. Since Week 3, Cam Skattebo had 90+ scrimmage yards in five straight games.
Come for K Shanahan speaking on J Dart, stay for him on C Skattebo. pic.twitter.com/m8L5rufNt4
— NYGfaninCLT (@clt_ny) October 29, 2025
Along with first-year quarterback Jaxson Dart, Skattebo was a part of a potential future revival for the New York Giants and a massive source of hope and positivity for the team’s fan base.
Disaster struck last Sunday, and it is unclear what type of player he will be after extensive surgery on what ended up being a very dangerous injury.
With the Giants set to take on the visiting 49ers in Week 9, San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about the upcoming game. He spoke about the challenge that his team will face in playing against Dart, and was then asked if his team had any interest in selecting Skattebo back in April before the Giants took him off of the board:
“Yes we did, and we loved him. He was awesome.”
Sunday Could Be A Must-Win For San Francisco
Did San Francisco every actually come close to pulling the trigger on drafting the product out of Arizona State? The 49ers actually made a selection just moments before New York took Skattebo, and opted to take cornerback Upton Stout 100th overall. They picked again with the 113th overall selection, but Skattebo was already off of the board. San Francisco took defensive tackle CJ West instead.
All but one of NFL Network’s analysts are picking the 49ers to beat the Giants pic.twitter.com/7QO9X8rGj9
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) October 29, 2025
The Giants are seeing their season slip away, but Sunday’s game holds massive importance for the 49ers. Shanahan and company had done a masterful job early in the season in masking their troubles caused by injuries to many of their key players, but it may have finally caught up with them. They will enter the week in third place in the NFC West, and a victory would be imperative in keeping pace with the Rams and Seahawks.
Despite having to travel cross-country, the 49ers are listed as 2.5-point favorites for the matchup.
