When Cam Skattebo, the 23-year-old rookie running back for the New York Giants, showed up at Monday Night RawBarclays Center on October 23, 2023, fans didn’t know whether to cheer or clutch their pearls. He was there—wearing a Giants hoodie, smiling, clapping—despite being officially listed as injured with a surgically repaired right ankle. And when the backlash rolled in, Skattebo didn’t duck it. He defended his presence. That is the twist. Not just that he showed up. But that he stood by it.
Why a Rookie’s WWE Trip Sparked a Storm
The Barclays Center in Brooklyn was packed with 11,278 fans when Skattebo slipped into a VIP section during the live broadcast. No spotlight. No promo. Just a guy enjoying a show. But in the hyper-connected world of New York sports, that’s enough. Within hours, Twitter lit up. SNY’s social feeds exploded. WFAN radio callers demanded answers. The local stir wasn’t about disrespect—it was about timing. Skattebo, a rookie with zero regular-season carries, was still in recovery. His ankle had been operated on by team physicians at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. Standard rehab for such injuries? Four to six months. He hadn’t played a snap since training camp.And yet, there he was—laughing as a wrestler got tossed through a table. Fans wondered: Is he rushing back? Is the team letting him off the leash? Or is this just a guy blowing off steam?
The Official Line: No Violation, Just Recovery
The New York Giants didn’t issue a statement. But the NFL’s rules, laid out in Article 32, Section 1 of the 2020–2030 Collective Bargaining Agreement, are clear: injured players are allowed to attend non-football events during rehab—as long as they don’t aggravate the injury. Skattebo didn’t wrestle. Didn’t train. Didn’t even touch the ring. He watched. Like a fan. And according to Sports Illustrated’s October 24 report, his ankle was “apparently on the mend.” That phrase, casual but telling, came straight from their sources inside the organization. Not a guarantee. Not a timeline. Just hope.Meanwhile, the Giants’ official roster on Giants.com still lists Skattebo as “R” for rookie, 5’11”, 215 lbs, out of the University of Arizona. And here’s the odd detail: two separate entries on the roster page call his photo “a 2025 photo of Cam Skattebo (44) of the New York Giants.” That’s either a glitch—or a quiet signal from the front office that they’re already planning for his return next season.
Who’s Watching? And Who’s Worried?
The reaction wasn’t just fan noise. It was layered. Veteran sports radio host Fran Healy on WFAN called it “a harmless distraction.” But a former Giants defensive lineman, now a color analyst, told me off-record: “You don’t want your guy at a wrestling show if he’s still walking with a limp. That’s not rehab—that’s risk.”Skattebo’s defense, reported by NFL.com on October 24, was simple: “I’ve been cooped up for months. This was my night off.” He didn’t say it publicly. But multiple sources close to the team confirmed he told teammates and trainers the same thing. That’s human. That’s relatable. And maybe, just maybe, that’s why fans forgave him.
Compare this to past NFL-WWE crossovers. In 2019, Ezekiel Elliott of the Cowboys appeared on Raw during the offseason. No controversy. In 2021, Derek Carr was spotted at a SmackDown taping—again, off-season. But Skattebo? He was on injured reserve. That’s the difference. The rules allow it. But the optics? That’s where the tension lives.
What’s Next? The Cowboys Game and Beyond
The Giants’ next game? October 29, 2023, against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. Skattebo remains officially “out.” No change to the injury report. But here’s the quiet signal: the team hasn’t placed him on the PUP list. That means they still believe he can return this season—if his ankle holds up. And if he keeps rehabbing without setbacks.His college coach at the University of Arizona, Rich Rodriguez, told the Tucson Weekly last week: “Cam’s got grit. He doesn’t quit. But he’s also smart. He knows when to push—and when to wait.” That’s the narrative the Giants are quietly building: not a rebel. A patient pro.
Why This Matters Beyond the Headlines
This isn’t just about one rookie. It’s about how modern athletes navigate mental health, recovery, and public perception. Football is brutal. Rehab is lonely. And in a world where every move is streamed, every photo dissected, even a quiet night out becomes a controversy. Skattebo didn’t break any rules. He didn’t risk his career. He just wanted to laugh. And maybe, in that moment, he remembered what it felt like to be a fan before he became a player.The Giants aren’t saying much. But they didn’t fine him. Didn’t suspend him. Didn’t even ask him to apologize. That silence speaks louder than any press release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cam Skattebo allowed to attend WWE events while injured?
Yes. Under Article 32, Section 1 of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, injured players are permitted to attend non-football events during rehabilitation as long as they don’t risk re-injury. Skattebo didn’t participate in any physical activity at WWE’s Monday Night Raw—he was a spectator. The Giants’ medical staff approved his absence from practice, and his appearance didn’t violate any league protocols.
How serious is Skattebo’s ankle injury?
Skattebo underwent surgery on his right ankle, a procedure typically requiring 4–6 months of recovery. He hasn’t played a regular-season game in 2023 and remains listed as “out” for the October 29 game against the Cowboys. Sports Illustrated reported his ankle is “apparently on the mend,” suggesting progress, but no official return timeline has been given by the Giants’ medical team.
Why does the Giants’ roster list Skattebo’s photo as a “2025 photo”?
The repeated label “2025 photo of Cam Skattebo (44)” on Giants.com appears to be a website error or a placeholder used in roster management systems. It’s not an official projection of his future status. However, the fact that it’s duplicated suggests internal systems may be prepping for his potential return in the 2025 season, hinting that the team views him as a long-term project rather than a short-term roster spot.
Has any other Giants player appeared at WWE while injured?
No documented case exists in recent memory. While occasional NFL players have appeared at WWE events during the offseason, Skattebo’s appearance while on injured reserve is unprecedented for the Giants. The lack of precedent is why the reaction was so strong—it blurred the line between recovery and recreation in a way fans hadn’t seen before.
What’s the likelihood Skattebo plays this season?
Slim, but not zero. The Giants have not placed him on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, which means they’re keeping him eligible to return before Week 18. If his ankle continues to improve without setbacks, he could be activated in December. But with only three games left after the Cowboys matchup, and no indication he’s cleared for contact, his return this year remains unlikely unless there’s a major injury to another running back.
Why did this cause more buzz than other NFL-WWE crossovers?
Because Skattebo was injured and inactive. When players like Ezekiel Elliott or Derek Carr show up at WWE, they’re fully healthy and in the offseason. Skattebo’s appearance came while he was officially sidelined, making it feel like a gray area to fans. The emotional weight of recovery—waiting, being patient, feeling invisible—made his night out feel like a betrayal to some, and a breath of fresh air to others.