The New York Giants started their voluntary OTA’s on Monday and despite worries about his contract and his injured ankle, Odell Beckham Jr. was present. How is he progressing from his season-ending injury?
In April, Odell Beckham Jr. surprised many around New York Giants camp by showing up for voluntary minicamp despite still not being fully cleared for football activity. By the end of the three-day workouts, Beckham was making jumping catches in individual drills.
On Monday, Beckham continued his recovery from the ankle injury that ended his season in week four of 2017. He was able to go through drills with his teammates that included running through a latter, zig-zagging around cones, and catching passes thrown by coaches.
When the rest of the receivers started taking passes from quarterbacks and running actual routes, Beckham ran off to the side to continue his individual rehab.
Last season Beckham did not show up for voluntary OTA because he was unhappy with his contract. He decided to stay in Los Angeles to train.
While little progress has been made on his contract, Beckham’s presence at both the minicamp in April and OTA on Monday shows that he is serious about his rehab, and connecting with his new teammates and coaching staff.
Giants new head coach Pat Shurmur was excited to see Beckham participating. He understands how much being around the team now can help him, despite his physical limitations.
“He can’t fully compete or whatever, but it’s a chance to see it,” Shurmur told Newsday’s Tom Rock on Monday. “There’s a lot to be learned by watching and it’s good to have him.”
“He looks good,” Shurmur said of Beckham’s physical status. “He’s out here moving around and chomping at the bit waiting to get out and do more than we’re allowing him to at this point. We just want to make sure that he’s healed to the fullest.”
While Beckham’s off the field antics have caused some concern, his commitment to practice and playing has never been an issue. Although he hinted he has no interest in playing in the preseason, getting him back at full speed for the regular season will make the Giants offense lethal.