Coming off a game in which he carried the ball for a career-high 98 yards and three touchdowns, it would be natural for Cam Skattebo to believe defenses will begin strategizing against him.
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But the rookie running back believes teams already began that process after seeing him be a significant part of the offense for the four weeks prior to his breakout in last week’s win over the Eagles.
“I think it’s started,’’ Skattebo said after Thursday’s practice as the Giants prepare to play at Denver on Sunday. “You can plan for it, but there’s other people on the other team. … If people want to bring nine [defenders] in the box, then someone’s got to step up. That’s really about it.”
Cam Skattebo jogs during practice at the Giants training facility in East Rutherford, N.J. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The fierce Denver defense has made its living going after the quarterback this year, but they’ve also allowed the seventh-fewest yards this season, as well as the eighth-lowest yards per carry (3.9). And though Skattebo found the end zone three times in the win over the Eagles, Denver has given up just two rushing touchdowns all season.
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“They game-plan just like we game-plan,’’ Skattebo said of opposing defenses. “If people start game-planning for me, there’s gonna be ways to get the ball to other people.”
Giants running back Cam Skattebo runs the ball during the fourth quarter of the Giants’ Week 6 win over the Eagles. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
John Michael Schmitz Jr. remained in the concussion protocol, so Austin Schlottmann might get the start at center on Sunday after filling in when Schmitz was knocked out of last week’s game.
Schlottmann worked with Jaxson Dart, as well as Skattebo, during training camp, as all got work with the second team.
“It’s fun to block for guys that run the way Dart and [Skattebo] do,’’ the eighth-year player said. “They have that will to win and competitiveness. You feel that and you feed off of it. We had ton of time together in training camp.”
Of Dart, Schlottmann said: “He doesn’t act like a rookie. He works hard and it’s paying off now.’’
Special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial said Dane Belton “is playing at a Pro Bowl level. He is No. 1 in the league in special teams tackles. You see all his study habits, all his hard work this offseason of improving the things that he needed to, show up on game day, and it’s infectious. The guy has been playing really, really well for us.’’
Giants safety Dane Belton catches a pass during a Giants practice on Sept. 4, 2025. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Abdul Carter has just a half-sack on the season and didn’t record a tackle last week. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said the rookie has “been extremely productive for us. [The sacks] are going to come, and hopefully they come in bunches when they do start coming.”
WR Darius Slayton did not practice for the second consecutive day as he deals with a strained hamstring. He did try to test his leg as much as possible. “I did well,’’ Slayton told The Post. “Moved around a good bit. Ran the most I’ve run since [hurting the hamstring], so it was a positive day.’’ As far as his ability to play on Sunday in Denver, Slayton said: “I’m still trying to be on that trajectory for sure.’’
— Additional reporting by Paul Schwartz