New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo suffered a stomach-turning ankle injury in the second quarter of a 38-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday afternoon and was quickly rushed to the hospital.
The injury was so severe that players from both teams dropped to one knee and offered prayers for the fiery Skattebo.
Initial reports suggest Skattebo suffered an ankle dislocation, but he remained in Philadelphia overnight after ungoing immediate surgery. That could suggest something viewed as a “medical emergency.”
Former NFL doctor David J. Chao believes the surgery may indicate that Skattebo suffered a tibia-fibula fracture dislocation with an open wound. Such a wound would require immediate attention and a thorough cleaning to prevent the potential for future infection.
However, Chao cautions that he has no inside information and is merely speculating based on a lifetime of experience.
Sports medicine physician Dr. Jesse Morse agrees with Chao’s assessment and believes Skattebo suffered an “open fracture.”
“There are reports that he is undergoing surgery today in Philadelphia. This is most likely because he suffered what is known as an open fracture, meaning that the bone popped through the skin,” Morse wrote on X. “This is a medical emergency and very high risk for infection. He needs to go in and get washed out, and started on antibiotics.”
Both Chao and Morse believe Skattebo will return at 100 percent next season, so long as he avoids a battle with infection.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants’ Cam Skattebo underwent ankle surgery in Philadelphia on Sunday
Reporting by Dan Benton, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
