Ball carriers are rarely called for lowering the helmet penalties, but on Sunday, Cam Skattebo became the latest victim of one of those head-scratching calls during the 27-21 overtime win over Houston.
On the opening play of the Giants’ second offensive drive, the second-year running back went full speed through the line of scrimmage and ran straight over Texans linebacker Henry To’oto’o for a seven-yard gain.
Instead of setting up the Giants nicely ahead of the sticks, though, Skattebo was flagged for a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty, which pushed them back into a first-and-20 situation.
Cameras caught the 24-year-old voicing his frustration as he made his way to the sidelines.
Cam Skattebo was not happy that this was called a personal foul https://t.co/kpq7V2wdnd
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) October 25, 2026
Head coach John Harbaugh wasn't shown on the broadcast, but he expressed to reporters on Monday afternoon that he felt the same way and was surprised that a flag was even thrown to begin with.
“I understand the idea, but I also understand human physiology and anatomy,” he said. “Skatt runs low; you have to protect the ball and your body. When you do, your head is down -- you can’t move your head off your shoulders.
“I’m quite sure Skatt’s not trying to use his helmet as a weapon; it’s not the way he’s thinking. He’s leading with his shoulder and trying to keep his shoulders in a strong upright position -- I didn’t see a problem with the technique at all.”
The Giants hadn't heard from the league about the penalty as of the time of Harbaugh's presser, but Skattebo could potentially be awaiting his second illegal helmet contact fine of the season.
Even if that ends up being the case, he doesn't seem likely to change his hard-nosed ways.
“The NFL loves to post when I do stuff like that, but then they also want to take stuff from me,” he said postgame. “I’m going to run the ball like I want, and if I’m going to continue to get flags or get fined, I guess I’m just going to play for free.
“I’m going to do everything I can to be on this team, to give everything I’ve got to this team, and if they’re going to punish me for it I’m going to keep doing it, and keep playing hard.”