The New York Giants offense may have Odell Beckham Jr. return punts in Houston to help offset the recent offensive woes.
Although nobody on the New York Giants will openly admit it, Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans (0-2) is a must-win affair if they’re going to have any realistic shot of making the playoffs.
Their schedule is too tough and the NFC is too deep to overcome an 0-3 record.
One of the main reasons for the Giants 0-2 start is the fact the offense has struggled mightily and is currently ranked 28th in total offense.
Moving the ball against the Texans won’t be easy as the Texans are currently 11th in total defense. So to jump-start the offense, the Giants may use Odell Beckham Jr. as their primary punt returner on Sunday.
Kaelin Clay, who has been the team’s punt returner for the first two games, has been limited in practice all week with a sprained ankle that he suffered in the Giants 20-13 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday. Beckham fielded one punt in place of Clay against the Cowboys for three yards.
If the Giants are going to get their first win of the season, they’re going to need to get the ball into Beckham’s hands. So even if Clay is able to play on Sunday, Beckham might be the one returner punts.
Earlier this week special team’s coordinator Thomas McGaughey spoke about what it’s like to Beckham returning punts.
“It was good to have him back there. Like I said before, any time you get a chance to get his hands on the ball, you get a chance to make a play. He just needs to kind of knock the rust off a little bit and get going.”
Some may feel having Beckham returning punts puts is not worth the risk of him getting injured. But you can’t play football at a high level and worry about getting injured, after all, injuries can happen at any time including in practice.
The Giants are better whenever Beckham has his hands on the ball. So with the season on the line on Sunday, it would make sense that he’s returning punts to try in jumpstart the New York Giants season.