Harbaugh backs Skattebo after helmet penalty — SkimNews
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Cam Skattebo became the first offensive player this season to be penalized for lowering his helmet, drawing an unnecessary roughness flag during New York’s 27-21 win over the Houston Texans.
- John Harbaugh defended Skattebo’s technique, stating that running low protects both the football and the player, and that it's physically impossible to keep the head up while running with pads down.
- John Harbaugh disputed the penalty, asserting Skattebo leads with his shoulder, not his helmet, and does not use his head as a weapon or battering ram.
- John Harbaugh challenged the NFL to clarify what running backs should do, given that running upright increases injury risk and compromises ball security.
- Cam Skattebo has declared he will not change his running style, even if it leads to more penalties, and Harbaugh fully supports that decision.
Why it matters: The NFL has fined players for lowering their helmet but rarely penalizes offensive players, making Skattebo’s flag and Harbaugh’s public defiance a rare challenge to how the rule is enforced. With player safety and rule consistency at stake, the league may now face pressure to clarify its stance on legal running form.
Ask SkimNews
