The doctor describes Cam Skattebo’s ankle injury and recovery process

Cam Skattebo’s promising start to his rookie season was cut short Sunday after he suffered a gruesome injury in the New York Giants’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that warranted no repetitions.

The running back suffered torn ligaments while dislocating his ankle, resulting in a compound injury, after he was tackled by Zach Baun on Sunday.

Skattebo underwent surgery in Philadelphia just hours after the injury, which was necessary because of the open wound, Doctor of Physical Therapy Tom Christ said in an interview with Pakinomist Digital.

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“It’s infection control. We kind of thought it was from seeing the injury — both the tibia and the fibula broke. And what happens when they break is sometimes the bone can stick out through the skin. That was certainly a concern if you watched the play. But it was an open fracture, which means the skin has been compromised. Now any bacteria from his sock, the field, can easily get into the skin where it is, and it can easily get into the skin where it is into the very bone,” said Christ.

Essentially it was to avoid an Alex Smith situation where his life was in danger after contracting sepsis due to infections from his compound injury in 2018.

“If he develops a bad infection, it’s going to make things really, really, really complicated and bad,” added Christ, whose Fantasy Injury Team takes deep dives into football injuries and their impact on fantasy football.

Head coach Brian Daboll said Skattebo has a “long way” ahead of him, and Christ agreed, even assuming an infection is avoided.

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44) leaves the field after an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

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“Pretty early, in the first six weeks, he’s probably not weight-bearing at all. So right there, you’re going to get a lot of weakness in development. Atrophy sets in really quickly,” Christ said.

So Skattebo will spend several weeks strengthening the rest of the leg before putting weight on his right foot at all, the doctor said. Christ added that Skattebo likely won’t be cleared for jogging or weightlifting until about four months out, and won’t have full range of motion for about three. But if most of it is back within 12 weeks, “he’s ready for a really good rehab.”

Skattebo benefits from his style of play, which doesn’t exactly challenge defenders, but rather a more old-fashioned, ground-and-pound attack.

“He’s not a speed guy. It’s not like he’s Jahmyr Gibbs, De’Von Achane. He’s a blaster, he’s absolutely fearless — potentially psycho — he uses his blockers really well, he’s got great vision and he’s a tremendous pass-catcher. Those are all things that will be less of a challenge if he’d been injured by this type, Achane, if he’d never been injured by this type. top speed back.”

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44) reacts after an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

If all goes according to plan, despite the gruesome nature of the injury, the Arizona State alum could return to his impressive, thunderous form, according to Christ. Skattebo’s age, just 23, will play a huge factor in his comeback.

“I can’t stress enough how critical his age is here. I know this is going to sound crazy here, but Chris Godwin, when he was 28 when his injury happened, the five-year gap of 23 to 28 is huge with these kinds of rehabs. The younger you are, the more efficient your body is at healing. It just helps everything, man. It helps so much coming back. I think he can play at a high level.”