There are moments in a season that feel bigger than the standings. Wednesday brought one of those for the Giants. A player who had been written off for the year walked back into the building with unexpected momentum, and the team followed it hours later with a roster move that hinted at how they’re reshaping the depth chart. Both developments pointed in the same direction: the Giants are planning.

The morning began with Cam Skattebo posting a video that stopped fans. The rookie running back recorded himself walking into the Giants facility for the first time since his season-ending ankle injury in Week 8. “Walkin into the facility on my own two feet. God is good man,” he said.

It marked a dramatic sight for a player who had suffered a complete dislocation, a fractured fibula, and torn ligaments that required tightrope surgery. His recovery had involved an air cast, a knee walker, and a lengthy rehab timeline. Yet he moved steadily, hinting at progress well ahead of expectation.

Before the injury, Skattebo had become a key contributor with 410 rushing yards and five touchdowns, plus 207 receiving yards and two touchdowns. His absence forced the Giants to reshuffle their backfield options and adjust situational packages. Now, seeing him walk freely restores optimism that he could be back for training camp in July. It also offers the team a rare midwinter win as they evaluate young talent for the 2025 season.

Meanwhile, the Giants made a corresponding roster decision. They brought back wide receiver and returner Xavier Gipson to the practice squad, per Art Stapleton. Gipson had bounced between the Jets, Giants, and Eagles this season but now returns as a depth option. The signing came as the team also held a large free agent workout featuring several punters, eventually adding veteran Cameron Johnston to the practice squad as insurance for injured Jamie Gillan.

Cam Skattebo is recovering fast from his season-ending ankle injury, while the team’s possession of the No. 1 draft pick has sparked an intense, yet unpopular, debate about trading.

Insider rises bold Jaxson Dart trade scenario

The Giants walked into Week 14 with a bye, a 2-game resume from Jaxson Dart worth talking about, and unexpectedly, the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft. Tennessee’s second win pushed New York to the top of the board, and with it came a wave of speculation the franchise hadn’t asked for.

The noise grew louder when insider Ryan Dunleavy posted a question on X. “Should Giants consider drafting Fernando Mendoza and trading Jaxson Dart if they keep No. 1 pick?” Dunleavy questioned. The reaction was immediate. Fans hammered the idea, insisting the rookie has already shown more promise than expected. Their frustration stemmed from more than emotion. It was tied to what Dart has actually delivered.

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Dart took over the starting job in Week 4. Since then, he’s missed time with a concussion and won only two games, yet given the Giants a level of competitiveness they haven’t consistently seen since Daniel Jones’ peak season in 2022. In eight appearances, Dart has produced 18 touchdowns, 11 through the air and seven on the ground. He’s thrown for 1,556 yards and has just three interceptions. One of them, a costly pick against the Broncos, still hasn’t shifted public confidence. Fans view him as the clear building block. Any proposal to trade him lands is tone-deaf.

This debate also resurfaced memories of the Daniel Jones era. Jones arrived in 2019 to skepticism, outplayed expectations for stretches, earned a massive contract, and eventually exited after injuries and turnovers resurfaced. His rise and fall continue to shape how the fan base evaluates quarterbacks. They’ve seen volatility. They want stability. Dart provides it, at least for now.

Therefore, while the Giants currently control the first pick, a quarterback change remains unlikely. The rookie’s production, presence, and early command of the locker room make the insider’s proposal feel detached from reality. For now, the Giants have their guy, and their fans intend to keep him.