Odell Beckham Jr. Joins Vikings Practice Squad After Criticizing Giants Over Release
Odell Beckham Jr. landed with the 4-0 Vikings a week after the Giants cut him, and he has been blunt about how that stint ended.
Odell Beckham Jr. has a new NFL home, at least for now. The Minnesota Vikings announced Wednesday that they signed the veteran receiver to the practice squad. The move comes roughly a week after the New York Giants cut him, and Beckham has spoken publicly about how that exit went.
What Beckham has said about the Giants
According to NBC Sports, Beckham posted several comments on Instagram about his release. He said he does not know why the Giants "gave me the run along." He also said he could have been playing somewhere this year and making an impact.
He also acknowledged he should have known better than to join the Giants.
Giants coach John Harbaugh pushed back when asked whether Beckham's fame played a role. "It's what's best for the team," he said, adding that anything else suggested was wrong.
NBC Sports reported that Beckham barely made the 53-man roster in August. It said the Giants later needed his spot for a player who can help on special teams.
Why Minnesota
ESPN reports Beckham played 19 snaps across three games with the Giants and did not catch a pass. He had not played in the NFL since 2024, when he caught nine passes for 54 yards with the Dolphins.
The Vikings know him, though. Beckham won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams, where he played with current Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell. The team says offensive coordinator Wes Phillips was also there. ESPN adds that Beckham played for Vikings assistant head coach Frank Smith in Miami in 2024.
Beckham is a New Orleans native and a friend of Vikings star Justin Jefferson. He played at LSU with Jefferson's older brother Jordan, according to the team. The Giants drafted him 12th overall in 2014.
Why the Vikings need receivers
Minnesota is 4-0, but ESPN says the offense has ranked among the league's worst. Jefferson sprained his left ankle in Week 3, missed Week 4 and is questionable at best for Week 5.
Jauan Jennings, signed as the No. 3 receiver, has two catches for nine yards on four targets in three games. He missed one game for personal reasons.
The Vikings also designated center Michael Jurgens and tight end Ben Yurosek to return from injured reserve.
What happens next
Beckham is on the practice squad, not the active roster, so he would need to be elevated or signed to the 53-man roster to play. The Vikings travel to New Orleans for Week 5. The sources do not say whether he will play there. Watch the team's game-day roster moves for any change.
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Quick answers
Is Odell Beckham Jr. on the Vikings' active roster?
No. The Vikings signed him to the practice squad, according to the team and ESPN.
Did Beckham play against the Vikings this year?
Yes. The Vikings say they faced him in the preseason opener while he was briefly back with the Giants.
How did Beckham do in his Giants stint?
ESPN reports he played 19 snaps in three games and had no catches.
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