As the New York Giants met the Lions for a joint practice, Odell Beckham Jr. showcased his stuff against Friday’s preseason opponent.
New York Giants superstar Odell Beckham Jr. looks like he’s getting back in the New York groove.
On Tuesday, Beckham faced off against defenders not bearing the lower case NY on their helmet for the first time since his brutal October injury, partaking in a joint practice against the Detroit Lions.
According to several sources stationed at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility in Allen Park, MI, Beckham is starting to look the explosive, showstopping receiver Giants fans have become accustomed to.
For example, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post documented a play during a two-minute drill where Beckham made a leaping catch to keep the drive alive, an early training camp whistle being the only thing keeping him from a potential game-winning touchdown. Matt Lombardo of NJ Advance Media documented Beckham’s prowess in one-on-one and seven-on-seven drills, with Lombardo also providing video of a trademark Beckham one-handed grab during individual drills with his fellow receivers.
I mean, this is just an outrageous one-handed catch by Odell Beckham. #Giants pic.twitter.com/FMuR6sGsyu
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) August 14, 2018
This display just outside Detroit has been Beckham’s most extensive work this summer. Working off an ankle injury that ended his 2017 season, the Giants have been very careful with his workload. Beckham dressed for last Thursday’s preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, but did not play.
According to Schwartz, Giants head coach Pat Shurmur was pleased with Beckham’s effort, remarking “he did great”. Teammate and tight end Evan Engram took the praise a step further.
“Having him out there making those big plays, especially in crucial moments like the two-minute drill, it’s good to have,” he said. “It’s definitely a big help for us.”
Even Beckham’s competition couldn’t hold back their accolades.
“He looks like he’s going. He’s catching the rock, and running the rock,” Lions cornerback Darius Slay said, told Lombardo. “He’s always been explosive. He’s never going to lose that, except when he turns 50, I suppose. But, he’s always been explosive. Other than that, he’s Odell. That’s just it.”
Though Beckham was in action on Tuesday, Saquon Barkley, who tweaked his hamstring during a Monday morning practice in East Rutherford, did not participate. Through the Giants’ official Twitter account, Shurmur said that Barkley had “a mild strain”.
RB Saquon Barkley left practice early after stretching out for a long reception. His left leg was wrapped the remainder of practice. Coach Shurmur said this afternoon after Barkley had been examined, “Saquon has a mild strain, and we’ll be smart with him as we move along here.”
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 13, 2018
The Giants’ visit to Michigan will culminate in their second preseason game, taking on the Lions at Ford Field on Friday night (7:00 p.m. ET, WNBC).
