How Odell Beckham, Jr.’s continued absence affects Browns receivers
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will miss his second straight game to start the 2021 season.
After missing the first week of the season, many hoped that the Cleveland Browns receiving corp would be bolstered by the return of Odell Beckham Jr. However, on Wednesday afternoon, the team ruled out the star receiver for their Week 2 game against the Houston Texans.
Beckham tore his ACL in Week 7 of the 2020 season, and has been working to come back and rejoin the team. After a tough workout regiment this off-season, many thought that we would see him suit up as early as the final preseason game.
For precautionary reasons, however, the team has taken a slow approach to bring OBJ back into the fold at a comfortable pace, holding him out the entire preseason, as well as their Week 1 matchup against the reigning AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Many truly thought OBJ would play in Week 1, with his playing status not being announced until almost an hour before game time. Head coach Kevin Stefanski stated he wanted to be much more clear about Beckham’s status heading into the weekend than the team was in Week 1.
Kevin Stefanski says Odell Beckham will NOT play Sunday. No setback. But wanted to provide clarity vs. the way it went down in KC
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) September 15, 2021
So what does Beckham’s status mean for the rest of the wide receivers on the Cleveland Browns roster?
Well, for one, it allows younger players like second-year player Donovan Peoples-Jones and rookie Anthony Schwartz a chance to improve and get more chances of live game action. It’s one thing to practice, but the NFL game speed can’t be matched.
Fans should fully expect another heavy dose of running, which is always the Browns bread and butter. But in the passing game, Jarvis Landry and tight end David Njoku could have big days in Beckham’s absence.
It appears that Beckham’s status will be updated week to week, but with the team not putting him on the IR, in which he could be removed after three weeks, it means he could likely appear in the lineup in Week 3.
Next. 4 Texans to watch in Week 2. dark
Fans will have to wait until next Wednesday, at the earliest, for that answer, though.