CAM SKATTEBO QUESTIONS NFL HELMET PENALTY

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo questioned an NFL penalty for lowering his helmet during his team's 27-21 overtime win over the Houston Texans. Officials called unnecessary roughness after Skattebo made contact with Texans safety M.J. Stewart on a first-quarter run. The penalty cost the Giants 15 yards. Skattebo was credited with 124 rushing yards and a touchdown in the game. He said afterwards that the NFL promoted his physical plays while penalising him for them.

“I'm going to run the ball like I want to run the ball,” Skattebo told reporters. “And if I'm going to continue to get flagged for it or fined for it, man, I guess I'm going to play for free.” The NFL had fined him $7,073 for impermissible helmet use during the Giants' Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans. Skattebo had spent time on the sidelines the previous week following ball-security problems. He also told reporters he would give everything he had to the team.

Leonard Fournette offered to help Skattebo pay any fine arising from the Texans play. “I'll help you with the fine, my brother,” Fournette wrote on Instagram alongside a video of the run. The NFL has not announced a fine for that play in the available account. Fournette received a $13,367 unnecessary roughness fine after a 2022 altercation during a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game against the New Orleans Saints. He appealed that fine.