Both the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Giants came into Sunday night’s game looking for their initial win of the year, both teams having 0-2 records. For the Giants, last week’s dramatic 40-37 loss to the Dallas Cowboys still lingered, and expectations of making a comeback took a massive blow early against the Chiefs.

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. suffered a gruesome injury in Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. It occurred on a 2nd-and-8 play with the Chiefs leading 3-0, when Tracy was hit hard along the sideline.

Tracy was immediately observed to be in apparent agony following the hit and was said to have been pointing at his shoulder or collarbone area when trainers arrived to treat him.

As posted by Marshall Green of Chat Sports on X: “Hopefully Tyrone Tracy Jr. is ok Looks like he was pointing to his shoulder/collar bone.”

The injury occurred as Tracy absorbed a big hit from two Chiefs defenders on the sideline.He awkwardly fell after the collision, and the medical staff scrambled to treat him immediately. When he got injured, he had 29 rushing yards and two catches for seven more receiving yards.

The Giants’ first two drives of the night didn’t gain any points. One on a turnover on downs and the other as a punt, with the offense not having its best rusher. After Tracy left, the Giants’ first drive without him ended in a costly interception by quarterback Russell Wilson, further complicating New York’s efforts to establish an offensive flow.

While the nature of Tracy’s injury is unknown, the early visual suggested an issue with upper-body that may determine if he would be able to return quickly. Even on Friday’s practice he was seen in limited action.

Through the first two games of the season, Tracy had gained only 39 yards on the ground in 15 carries, averaging 2.6 per attempt. He chipped in six receptions for 47 yards but has yet to score. Tracy has been utilized widely on short-yardage and goal-line downs, and losing him would force New York to make extensive adjustments in its offense.

Although beginning slowly in yardage gains, Tracy is now a key figure in the backfield of New York. His absence creates a hole in the Giants’ offense, especially with Russell Wilson needing reliable options to facilitate the drive and provide scoring opportunities. However, his absence has given a golden chance to a young man.

Rookie erupts as Tracy’s potential replacement

With Tracy’s availability questionable, newcomer Cam Skattebo stands to gain the most from this. Skattebo has already been the Giants’ top-scoring running back this season with 68 yards of scrimmage and the lone touchdown by a Giants running back. Were Tracy to be missing time, Skattebo would likely play RB1 and give the Giants a competent and versatile backup in both passing and running situations.

Devin Singletary will also receive more touches, but when it comes to fantasy value and overall offense impact, Skattebo is the more valuable asset. The rookie has demonstrated the capacity to make red zone plays as well as catch passes out of the backfield.

Skattebo began his college football career at Sacramento State, with whom he played in 16 games and had a rushing gain of 1,892 yards and 13 touchdowns on just 252 carries. He also showed some potential as a pass catcher, catching 43 passes for 495 yards and four touchdowns.

Since transferring to Arizona State, he has become a workhorse himself, posting 1,711 rushing yards and 21 scores on 293 carries in his final year, and adding 605 receiving yards and three scores via the air.

The rookie’s power, versatility, and red-zone scoring skills make him the most potential backup if New York is forced to change its game plan because of Tracy’s injury.