New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo reflected on the impact of quarterback Jaxson Dart’s season-ending knee injury suffered in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams, describing the situation as deeply emotional for him and the team. Dart’s injury, confirmed shortly after the game, abruptly ended his 2024 campaign and dealt a significant setback to the Giants’ offensive plans.
Speaking after Thursday’s practice, Skattebo called Dart his closest friend and acknowledged the difficulty of losing him early in the season. “It’s a little emotional for me,” Skattebo said. “It sucked to lose him, but we gotta move on. The team still has a full season left … It’s something we have to battle through.”
The bond between Dart, 23, and Skattebo, 24, has been a notable storyline for the Giants this season. However, injuries have limited their on-field collaboration, with the pair having completed only five full games together over two seasons. Skattebo himself endured a season-ending ankle injury last year that cut his rookie season short after eight games, an experience Dart described as heartbreaking at the time. “That’s my boy. Seeing him go down and reacting to what happened, it sucks. It’s the worst part of this game,” Dart had said during his recovery last year.
Reflecting on their shared experiences with injury, Skattebo emphasized optimism for the future. “I got hurt last year and didn’t get to play with the guys, and he got hurt this year. It sucks, it does suck, but the bright side is we have a long future ahead of us,” he said. Skattebo praised Dart’s work ethic and mindset during his rehabilitation, highlighting his commitment to supporting teammates and helping quarterback Jameis Winston adjust in his absence.
“He’s gonna be here every day working his butt off to make sure Jameis is in a good spot, the guys are in a good spot and he’s doing whatever he can to help,” Skattebo said. Acknowledging the mental strain that comes with a significant injury, he noted that Dart’s previous experiences have strengthened his resilience. “When you get hurt, it sucks, and you don’t know what to think. Like coach [John Harbaugh] says, it feels like the world’s over when you get hurt, but there’s another day to live on. He knows he has more future left in his life … He’s strong-minded. He’s been through this a couple times already, so he knows how to deal with it.”
The Giants now face the challenge of moving forward without Dart, relying on the depth of their roster and the leadership of their remaining players as the 2024 season progresses.