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09/29 16:17 CDT Giants release receiver Odell Beckham Jr. after three games and
zero catches
Giants release receiver Odell Beckham Jr. after three games and zero catches
By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Sports Writer
Odell Beckham Jr.'s return to the New York Giants, with the fan-favorite
receiver making the team at age 33 after being out of football for more than a
year, lasted just three games with no catches.
The Giants released Beckham on Tuesday and signed return specialist Braxton
Berrios to the active roster from the practice squad.
"Wishing him the best," edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux said. "He's a legend in
the game, and he's fought so hard to make his way back in this league. And he's
definitely going to be able to make a statement somewhere, so I'm not worried
for him."
Beckham was thrown at just once during his brief cameo back with the team that
drafted him in the first round in 2014. Coach John Harbaugh last week hinted at
a bigger role for Beckham, saying he "would be all for it Sunday" against
Tennessee and calling it "the perfect time."
Jameis Winston threw one deep pass intended for Beckham during the first
quarter. Fans later chanted "OBJ! OBJ!" to no avail, as Beckham was only on the
field for six plays of the ugly, 12-7 win and 20 of 191 (10.5%) this season.
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy on Thursday said the Giants were trying to find
situations to use Beckham. Nagy added that one injury would be enough to have
Beckham playing all the time.
In retrospect, it appears one injury --- Calvin Austin's torn right ACL during
training camp --- was enough to get Beckham on the 53-man roster after making
strides in practice and impressing in preseason games. Had Austin been healthy,
there is a good chance Beckham would not have made the final cuts.
Beckham did, despite most recently playing an NFL game on Dec. 8, 2024, with
the Miami Dolphins. He missed all of last season when he served a six-game
suspension for failing a performance-enhancing drug test.
Back with New York, Beckham was behind Malik Nabers, Darnell Mooney and rookie
Malachi Fields on the depth chart.
"I love playing with ?O,'" said tight end Isaiah Likely, who was also teammates
with Beckham on the Baltimore Ravens in 2023. "Hopefully, wherever he ends up,
he does what Odell does."
Berrios had been promoted from the practice squad the maximum three times,
hence the need to clear a roster spot for him.
Releasing Beckham is the latest move during a busy stretch, which included
acquiring quarterback J.J. McCarthy from Minnesota in a trade Monday for a
fifth-round pick. Likely said McCarthy was already at the team facility.
Harbaugh said Winston will start Sunday against Arizona, with either McCarthy
or Jake Haener backing up. Haener was released with the intent of bringing him
back on the practice squad and cleared waivers Tuesday to make that possible.
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