The New York Giants lost running back Cam Skattebo for the remainder of his rookie season after he suffered a gruesome ankle injury in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Skattebo was carted off the field in an air cast after suffering an ankle dislocation while being tackled by Eagles linebacker Zack Baun. The 23-year-old was then hospitalized and required emergency surgery to repair the injury.
Giants coach Brian Daboll was candid that Skattebo is facing a ‘long road’ in his recovery. Could that impact the running back’s availability for the start of the 2026 NFL season?
Here’s everything to know about Skattebo’s recovery timeline and when he might return to action.
Cam Skattebo return date
Skattebo will not play again during the 2025 NFL season, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the 23-year-old should have ‘no issues’ returning to the field in 2026.
‘If all is good and clean and the surgery went as well as everyone believes, he should be back with no issues for next year,’ Rapoport said on NFL Network the morning of Oct. 27. ‘It’s a gruesome injury but the recovery is actually not as bad.’
Rapoport also noted several other NFL players, including Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, have been able to return from such injuries the year after suffering them.
The Giants have not yet provided a timeline for Skattebo’s return, but Daboll told reporters Oct. 27 that ‘all went well’ with Skattebo’s emergency surgery.
‘He’s recovering,’ Daboll said. ‘Obviously, he’ll be missed but on the road to recovery. … He’s got a road ahead of him.’
Cam Skattebo injury recovery time
Just how long will Skattebo’s recovery take? Skattebo suffered an open ankle dislocation – meaning the injury caused an open wound over his ankle joint – and needed emergency surgery to repair the injury.
Skattebo’s surgery means it will take him longer to recover from the injury, as outlined by Medicine Net.
‘If a patient undergoes surgery (for a dislocated ankle), the recovery time may be longer and depends on the surgical procedure,’ the website reads. ‘It may take six months to up to a year for the ankle to fully recover from the trauma after the surgery.’
The wide-ranging return timeline will make Skattebo’s status worth monitoring during the spring and summer months.
But given Rapoport’s reporting, there seems to be optimism Skattebo could return to the field for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.